The University of Catania is kicking off its 591st academic year this Friday, February 13th, with a ceremony steeped in tradition and forward-looking discussion. The event, beginning at 10:30 am in the Santo Mazzarino great hall of the Benedictine monastery, will explore whether global fragmentation is an unavoidable fate or a conscious choice.
A vibrant historical procession, featuring delegations from across the university, the Academic Senate, Vice-Rector Lina Scalisi, and rectors from visiting universities, will launch the proceedings. The ceremony will be live-streamed on the University web TV’s (Acom) YouTube channel. Following opening remarks from Rector Enrico Foti and General Director Corrado Spinella, students Gaia Castro and Francesco Pezzillo, representing the Academic Senate and Board of Directors respectively, will share their perspectives.
Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, president of the Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) and the first woman to serve as Italian Ambassador to the United States of America, will deliver a keynote address titled “Fragmentation: an inevitable destiny or a choice?”. The University of Catania will also present its inaugural “Alumnus/a of the year – Siciliae Studium Generale” award, recognizing former students who have achieved significant professional, entrepreneurial, or social impact, enhancing the University’s reputation nationally and internationally.
The event will be further enriched by performances from the University Choir, under the direction of Paolo Cipolla, Franco Lazzaro, and Giuseppe Sanfratello, and hosted by Radio Zammù’s Miriam Finocchiaro, a student in Global Politics for Euro-Mediterranean Relations, and Demetrio Galvagno, studying Sciences and languages ​​for communication.
