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Free University of Bozen-Bolzano

Responsibility towards our Territory and Citizens

As well as being established in teaching and research as an educational institution, unibz also has a responsibility to contribute to the cultural and economic development of South Tyrol. This has been defined as the 'third mission' consisting of the activities through which the University interacts with its surrounding community.

The (economic) enhancement of knowledge

unibz strives to foster knowledge and contribute to the economic growth of businesses in the local area so that spin-offs, patents and intellectual property are founded based on the University’s research. Through Knowledge and Technology Transfer, unibz is in constant contact with companies and has established itself as the ideal partner in Research and Development.

Our Career Service is in regular contact with companies and supports students in joining the world of work and business.

Lifelong Learning and knowledge transfer for adults and children

The communication channels with the local community are kept open through public meetings, conferences and Lifelong Learning initiatives that promote the engagement and the inclusion of the general public in the University community. Among these, the Studium Generale, founded in 2011, allows people of any age to attend university level courses including those enrolled on single courses. Additionally, there is a Junior Uni for children and young people, the Senior Student Card, for people over 60 years of age, and the unitedbz Project, which offers refugees the possibility to attend some courses as extracurricular students.

unibz's Third Mission also includes activities such as the Percorsi per le Competenze Trasversali e per l’Orientamento (PCTO) to encourage high school students to engage more with the University, as well as open distance learning initiatives, such as MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses): unibz is part of the EduOpen university consortium offering free online courses.

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The BITZ unibz fablab is a digital manufacturing laboratory and a social space for sharing and collaboration open to the public. As a research partner inside the NOI Techpark, unibz opens its doors and laboratories, participating in initiatives such as the miniNOI, a science activity for children. In addition, the LUNA, the European Researchers' Night, is held every two years.

Thanks to these activities, the University attracts people of all ages interested in developing their cultural awareness and in obtaining a more informed view of the future which leads to a positive impact on society.