Opening of Humanitas University Campus: the President of the Italian Republic Mattarella joins the Ceremony

The new Humanitas University Campus was officially opened during the Opening Ceremony for the new Academic Year 2017/2018 on November 14th. The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella joined the Ceremony.

Three buildings, immersed in green surroundings, 25 thousand square metres to host 1200 students from 31 countries worldwide. A 2,000-square-meter, state-of-the-art Simulation Center, one of the most technologically advanced in Europe, high-tech classrooms, digital library and halls of residence – just a few steps away from the research laboratories led by Prof. Mantovani and the hospital – essential parts of the campus for the training of future doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. A total investment of approximately 100 million euros. These are just some of the key features of the new Humanitas University Campus.

The President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella together with the Minister for Economic Development Carlo Calenda, the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Maria Elena Boschi, the President of the Lombardy Region Roberto Maroni, the Mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala together with the Mayors of Rozzano and Pieve Emauele Barbara Agogliati and Paolo Festa participated in the ceremony. On behalf of Humanitas University, the President Gianfelice Rocca, the Rector Marco Montorsi, the vice-rector of Research Alberto Mantovani, and Javiera Ali, representing the students, took part in the ceremony. Dr. Elio Riboli, Professor of Hygiene and Public Health, held the Lectio Magistralis.  

The new Humanitas University Campus

The Campus has been designed as an open, green ‘piazza’, visible from all the surrounding large glass windows, a space also with large terraces,to be used as outdoor classrooms. The spaces are designed in keeping with the latest technological standards and environmental well-being, cultivating opportunities for meetings and exchanges between Nobel Prize winners, teachers, researchers and young students from all over the world. The new complex currently consists of 3 buildings with a surface of 25 thousand square meters. A university hall of residence, 8,000 square meters in size, with 240 beds for students and researchers is to be opened in summer 2018.

Simulation Lab: Mario Luzzatto’s Simulation Center and Anatomy Lab

The flagship of the Campus is the Simulation Lab, which includes Mario Luzzatto’s Simulation Center and the Anatomy Lab: a highly technological space, among the largest in Europe, with a surface of over 2,000 square metres, accessible to students, postgraduates and health professionals, who can benefit from training able to take into account different levels of specialization and complexity.

Humanitas University Simulation Center and the halls of residence have been named after Mario Luzzato, an internationally renowned manager, artist and philanthropist, who passed away in 2012. His commitment to research and health projects had put him in contact with Humanitas, to which he donated 20 million euros, as in the case of the Weitzmann Institute in Israel.

The new campus, a space where you can breathe the air of the future

“Our Campus is located in a city and region considered the cradle of the Life Sciences. The campus was built over a period of 18 months, driven by the desire to give young people a place where they want to be and which can nurture their growth. We have managed to create a space, where students, doctors, professionals can breathe the air of the future– explains Humanitas’ President Gianfelice Rocca – the Campus is the final step of a vision, which originated twenty years ago. The aim being to attract private capital to offer a high quality public service, the most advanced medical treatment, as well as research capable of changing the world around us and, last but not least, preparing pioneering doctors and professionals.”

The new Campus, which combines and reinforces clinical practice and research with the most advanced teaching approaches, represents the physical manifestation of the knowledge triangle which is at the core of the Humanitas mission.

“In an increasingly international context – explains Rector Marco Montorsi – it is essential for the educational path of future health professionals to be soundly integrated with a high-quality hospital. Being able to live the clinical experience right from day one, enables students not only to put their theoretical background into practice but also develop equally essential skills: empathy, teamwork and the ability to quickly adapt and understand different cultural contexts and backgrounds. All this requires a new framework, where space plays a crucial role in the exchange of knowledge and in line with the best Life Sciences Universities abroad.”

The new Campus was designed by FTA studio, owned by architect Filippo Taidelli and built by  Colombo costruzioni.