«In Bocconi 200 milioni per investire in giovani e ricerca»

Bocconi University in Milan has secured 110 million euros in philanthropic donations between 2021 and 2025, with an additional 20 million euros committed at the beginning of 2026. These resources are primarily aimed at supporting students, with nearly 50% of the funds directed towards providing exemptions from tuition fees, scholarships, and other forms of assistance.

The university's rector, Francesco Billari, highlighted that without philanthropy, Bocconi would have far fewer opportunities to support students, invest in research, and enhance the campus. Billari emphasized that the university's success in fundraising demonstrates the importance of engaging private individuals in the process.

He stressed the need for philanthropy to be transparent, with clear evidence of the impact of donations, such as scholarships for students, research labs, and specialized centers. Looking ahead, Bocconi aims to increase its funding to 200 million euros by 2030. The university is focusing on becoming more interdisciplinary and expanding into areas beyond artificial intelligence, such as cognitive sciences, public policy impact evaluation, and entrepreneurship.

While Italy's university enrollment rates are currently high, they still lag behind countries like China's, where around 70% of 24-year-olds hold a degree. At the same time, authoritarian trends pose challenges to universities' roles in promoting democracy and critical thinking. Bocconi's rector noted that the university's mission is to remain a cornerstone of cultural growth in the country, attracting both domestic and international students to foster a vibrant academic community.