The University of Trieste is strengthening its commitment to research and training in the fight against primary liver cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In collaboration with Italian Liver Foundation (FIF), the Italian League for the Fight Against Cancer – Provincial Association of Trieste (LILT), and the local healthcare service ASUGI, the University is set to establish a shared operational protocol for the creation of themed working groups.

The agreement was announced during a multidisciplinary seminar held at FIF’s headquarters in Trieste, as part of an initiative dedicated to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The event brought together researchers, clinicians and students with the aim of promoting an integrated approach to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Professor Saveria Lory Crocè, Professor of Gastroenterology at the University of Trieste and Director of the Departmental University Clinic of Liver Diseases, highlighted the importance of technological innovation in tackling liver cancer:
"In today’s diagnostic and clinical landscape, there is a lack of standardised biomarkers and clinical indicators for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. New tools based on artificial intelligence will undoubtedly play a key role, a major area of research at our university.”

"Throughout the day," added Claudio Tiribelli, Scientific Director of the Italian Liver Foundation, “the focus was placed on the importance of primary and secondary prevention, early diagnosis, and multidisciplinary care of patients, as well as the need to invest in education and scientific outreach to raise public awareness about chronic liver diseases. The meeting ended with a clear message: only by pooling expertise, resources and vision can we improve the prevention and treatment of liver cancer, for the benefit of both patients and the wider community.”

The operational protocol between UniTS, FIF, LILT and ASUGI marks a significant step forward in establishing a structured collaboration, based on joint scientific research projects, academic training and public health initiatives that serve both the region and the scientific community.

Just a month before his 71st birthday — he was born in Livorno on May 24, 1954 — Mario Fiorentini passed away. He was Professor of Roman Law and Foundations of European Law at the Department of IUSLIT of the University of Trieste.

After earning his Law degree with honors in 1981 from the University of Pisa, he joined the first cycle of the PhD program in Roman Law and the Law of the Eastern Mediterranean (University of Rome La Sapienza, 1983–1986), focusing his research on culti gentilizi, the subject of his first monograph (1988). In 1991, he won a national competition for a research position at the Faculty of Law of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, where he remained until 1996. That year, he transferred to Trieste, where he would later be appointed Associate Professor in the early 2000s, following the publication of Fiumi e mari nell’esperienza giuridica romana (2003).

Though afflicted for some time by a painful illness, he continued his studies until the very end, driven by an unshakable passion for antiquity. A profound scholar, he was able to move effortlessly between legal, archaeological, literary, and historical dimensions. In the last decade, his research activity intensified, resulting in numerous refined essays and two substantial monographs: Il giurista e l’eretico (2016) and Natura e diritto nell’esperienza romana (2022).

Colleagues remember him as courteous to all and always ready with a witty remark; seated in his office, hunched over his computer from late morning into the evening, his door always open to welcome students, with whom he had a bond of total dedication and sincere affection — a sentiment clearly echoed on a Facebook page in his honor: Quelli che amano il Prof. Fiorentini.

Enrolment is now open for degree programmes at the University of Trieste for the 2025/2026 academic year. Prospective students can register online at: https://portale.units.it/it/studiare/immatricolarsi.

With over 80 active degree programmes, including bachelor’s, master’s and single-cycle degrees, UniTS stands out on the national stage for the breadth and diversity of its academic offering. Covering all major fields of knowledge such as science, technology, healthcare, economics, law, humanities, social sciences and languages, the University continues to see steady growth in student enrolments, in contrast to national trends, thanks to the high quality of its teaching and services.

NEW DEGREE PROGRAMMES

The upcoming academic year will see the launch of four new degree programmes, designed to meet the evolving demands of the job market and to train highly qualified professionals in key sectors such as environmental sustainability, healthcare, applied psychology and European political science.

In addition, the existing Bachelor's Degree in Dental Hygiene, currently available in Trieste, will also be offered at the Pordenone campus. This decision responds to strong and consistent demand in recent years, with applications regularly more than double the number of available places.

New programmes launching in 2025/26:

Earth Sciences for Sustainable Development
Language: English 
Location: Trieste

This Bachelor’s Degree provides a solid foundation in geosciences with an innovative focus on georesources and geological risk in the context of global sustainability. The

programme includes extensive lab work and field activities, with a limited intake of 50 students to ensure a high-quality learning experience. Unique in Italy for both its language of instruction and thematic content, the course qualifies graduates to sit the State Examination for Junior Geologist and to continue on to master’s or doctoral studies.

Rehabilitation Sciences of Healthcare Professions
Language: Italian 
Location: Trieste

This Master's Degree trains professionals with advanced skills in teaching, management and research in the field of rehabilitation. Aimed at graduates in rehabilitation-related healthcare professions, the course prepares students for leadership roles, university-level teaching and research pathways. It features innovative teaching and research content, including tele-rehabilitation, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics and sustainable healthcare models. The curriculum is aligned with the latest developments in the profession and the modern healthcare landscape.

Applied Social and Cognitive Psychology
Language: Italian (with some modules in English) 
Location: Trieste

This Master's Degree trains professionals to work in non-clinical psychology settings, integrating social and cognitive expertise with a strong applied orientation. Students can tailor their learning by choosing from four application areas: community and wellbeing, work and organisations, ergonomics and technology, and people–environment–animals–society. The degree qualifies graduates to practise as psychologists and prepares them for roles across the public, private and third sectors. It stands out for its integrated approach and its focus on topical issues such as sustainability, inclusion and psychosocial wellbeing.

Political Science – Integration and Governance (PoSIG)
Language: English 
Location: Gorizia

PoSIG is an international Master’s Degree taught entirely in English for graduates in political and international studies. Developed by a consortium of thirteen European and Balkan universities, it requires students to attend at least two partner institutions and awards a joint degree. The curriculum covers areas such as comparative politics, European integration, international relations and political theory. The University of Trieste hosts the second semester of the first year, with courses focused on conflict mediation, democracy and European identity. The programme includes policy-making activities and offers opportunities for internships and international mobility.

EMPLOYABILITY AND CAREER OUTCOMES: STRONG RESULTS FOR UNITS GRADUATES

The effectiveness of UniTS’s academic offering is reflected in graduate employment figures, as shown in the latest AlmaLaurea survey.

One year after graduation, nearly 85% of bachelor’s graduates who do not continue their studies are employed — a rate above the national average of 78.6%. The University also performs well in terms of salary, with a net monthly average of €1,522, higher than both the Italian (€1,492) and Friuli Venezia Giulia (€1,497) averages.

Results are even more striking for master’s graduates: the employment rate one year after graduation reaches 87%, versus 78.6% nationally. The average net monthly salary is €1,607, compared to €1,488 nationally. After five years, the employment rate rises to 93%, exceeding both the regional (92.7%) and national (89.7%) averages. Graduates earn an average of €1,988 per month, with figures reaching €2,014 for two-year master's graduates and €1,949 for those in single-cycle programmes.

STUDENT SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL AID

For the 2025/2026 academic year, UniTS reaffirms its strong commitment to supporting the right to education. It remains one of just nine Italian universities to raise the no-tax area to an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) threshold of €30,000, well

above the national benchmark of €22,000. This ensures full tuition fee exemption for a broader range of students.

Full exemption also continues for recipients of scholarships awarded by ARDiS, the Regional Agency for the Right to Higher Education, which are granted to 100% of eligible applicants.

Merit-based financial aid is also confirmed, accounting for around half of all exemptions and reductions, reflecting both the high calibre of the UniTS student body and the University’s commitment to rewarding academic achievement.

GUIDANCE AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

UniTS provides comprehensive support to help future students make informed decisions about their academic path. The Orientation Office offers personalised advice, information sessions and dedicated initiatives — both in person and online — to assist students at every stage of the decision-making process. 

Contacts: +39 040 3473 787 - orientamento@units.it 

Health, local communities, prevention, and public awareness are the key themes of Health Between Land and Sea, a new public engagement and social responsibility project launched by the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences (DSM) at the University of Trieste, starting on Saturday, June 21.

The initiative features a program of educational, sports, and experiential activities held in everyday settings such as the coastline, the sea, and the Karst Plateau. It aims to strengthen the connection between health, the local environment, and physical activity, while building a network of institutions, sports associations, and scientific organizations committed to promoting good prevention practices.

The project is funded through the University’s Public and Social Engagement Call – part of its Third Mission activities – which annually supports initiatives developed by departments to foster cultural growth, social development, public well-being, and quality of life.

"Beyond teaching and research," said Luigi Murena, Director of DSM, "the University must promote knowledge and culture. The event on Saturday, June 21 aligns perfectly with this goal. The program focuses on the theme of safety, conveyed and demonstrated in its many forms. Together with numerous partners, we have designed an engaging and stimulating program for the entire community."

The project, presented in the City Council Hall, is organized in partnership with the Municipality of Trieste—Departments for Urban Policy and for Sports and Public Property—and in collaboration with ASUGI (Local Health Authority), ICGEB, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Pallanuoto Trieste Samer&Co. Shipping, Trieste Campus, Triestina Nuoto Samer&Co. Shipping, and Band of Rescue – FIN Salvamento.

"With this first event," added Alex Buoite Stella, DSM delegate for public engagement, "we aim to meet citizens where they spend their leisure time. Our goal is to promote awareness of the benefits of community-based prevention and, at the same time, highlight the safety measures needed to manage and reduce risks—specifically those related to swimming and seaside activities. Information and prevention will be the key themes of the day."

One of the most popular summer gathering spots in Trieste, Barcola’s Pine Grove, will host the day’s activities, which begin in the morning. After the opening of the information stand and official greetings, attendees can join a physical warm-up session led by the Trieste Campus team. Young athletes from Triestina Nuoto will then dive into the sea for a live open-water swimming demonstration, followed by a canine rescue demonstration by Band of Rescue – FIN Salvamento. In the afternoon, players from Pallanuoto Trieste will hold a water polo training session. The day will conclude at 6 p.m. with a public talk focusing on the benefits and risks associated with sun exposure, swimming, and water rescue, featuring contributions from professors, doctors, and safety experts.

Upcoming events in the Health Between Land and Sea project include two community hikes, scheduled for September 2025 during the European Mobility Week, and March 2026, offering citizens the chance to discover the diverse trails and natural richness of the Trieste Karst.

At the invitation of Nicola Minasi, Head of the Crisis Unit at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), Pro-Rector Valter Sergo of the University of Trieste participated in an operational briefing in Rome. The session focused on ensuring the safety of academic staff operating in regions affected by international crises, conflicts, or political instability.

In recent years, UniTS has revised its overseas mission protocols, implementing a system that ensures preventive notification to the MFA when researchers travel to areas deemed high-risk.

The visit—following on from Dr. Minasi’s official trip to the University of Trieste in December 2022—forms part of the University’s broader engagement in scientific diplomacy and underpins the deepening collaboration between UniTS and the Ministry.

Once again, Trieste Next is launching its Volunteer Project, giving all UniTS students the chance to take an active role in the Festival of Scientific Research, taking place from 26th to 28th September.

Why volunteer for Trieste Next? 

• You’ll be at the heart of the festival – from labs and lectures to front-line events
• You’ll gain first-hand insight into the world of scientific research and the people behind it
• You’ll strengthen your communication and organisational skills
• You’ll have fun, learn, and connect with fellow students, lecturers, and researchers

Plus… you’ll earn 1 ECTS credit for 25 hours of volunteering!

Just submit your certificate to your Department’s Student Office.

Don’t miss out – join the Trieste Next team!

Apply by 31st July by filling in the online form.

🔎 u.garr.it/EAqVW

The DNA of a freshwater jellyfish of non-native origin, specifically Asian (Craspedacusta sowerbii), has been detected in the underground waters of the Timavo River inside the Luftloch cave, recently discovered by the Adriatic Speleological Society.

This significant scientific discovery is the result of collaboration between the University of Trieste, the Adriatic Speleological Society (SAS), and the Trieste Civic Museum of Natural History.

The sampling and analyses were carried out by the research group coordinated by Chiara Manfrin of the Department of Life Sciences at UniTS, as part of a project aimed at monitoring biodiversity in subterranean environments through the use of environmental DNA (eDNA). This innovative technique makes it possible to detect genetic traces left by organisms in their habitat, allowing the identification of species that are not easily observed.

‘This method allows us, by filtering water, to detect genetic traces left by organisms in the surrounding environment, thus enabling the identification of species that are difficult to observe directly,’ explains Manfrin. ‘The results revealed the presence of Craspedacusta sowerbii DNA, a non-native species originating in China, harmless to humans but whose effects on Karst ecosystems are under study.’

The discovery follows on from previous observations of the jellyfish in the Slovenian section of the Reka-Timavo since 2016, conducted by the Trieste Civic Museum of Natural History and published in a scientific note by Nicola Bressi and Andrea Colla. The genetic confirmation obtained now further strengthens the hypothesis of the species’ presence in the underground waters of the Karst.

It was among the first academic events in Europe dedicated to the new Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence, Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law adopted by the Council of Europe in September 2024: The conference held at the Gorizia Campus of the University of Trieste brought together scholars from different countries for a critical and multidisciplinary reflection on the implications of the Treaty.

The event entitled ‘The CoE framework convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the rule of Comparative Law, EU, and International Law perspectives’ also received attention from the Council of Europe, which announced it on its official portal, underlining its value as an in-depth initiative supported by the academic world. 

Opening the meeting was Mario Hernández Ramos, President of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence of the Council of Europe (CAI), who in his speech explained the negotiation process of the Convention, its content and the prospects for its implementation. ‘Human values must be at the heart of the design, development and deployment of artificial intelligence, and the Council of Europe Convention plays a key role in achieving this.’ 

The conference was organised by Giuseppe Pascale and Marta Infantino, professors of International Law and Comparative Private Law at the University of Trieste, with the support of the Department of Political and Social Sciences (DiSPeS) and the European Union. It also received support from the PRIN project AutomatA – The dark side of algorithm in public administration, funded by the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research, whose partnership with UniTS is overseen by Professor Infantino’s scientific supervision.

‘This was one of the very first opportunities in Europe for critical academic reflection on the potential impact of the new Convention’, explain the organisers. ‘We have gathered scholars of comparative, international and European law in Gorizia to understand the prospects and consequences of regulating artificial intelligence. The contributions presented will be collected and published in open access, for the benefit of the scientific community and all those who want to deepen the content and scope of the Convention.’

The Mediterranean in the post-American era, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor renamed the New Cotton Route, the integration of the Western Balkans, and the dialogue between AI and Space are just some of the topics of the 2025 edition of GeoAdriatico, the international geopolitics symposium scheduled for 12th-15th June in Trieste.

GeoAdriatico, promoted by Vitale Onlus  in partnership with the University of Trieste, will also explore topics related to scientific research in the global data society, the G20 as a platform for cooperation on transport, port infrastructure and the sea, as well as issues related to tariffs, trade wars and the protection of the planet.

‘In an area deeply influenced by the development geopolitical relations, the environmental emergency and the data revolution, it is essential that scientific research, diplomacy and business come together to guide global processes towards common goals,’ says Rector Roberto Di Lenarda. ‘In an uncertain and complex international landscape, GeoAdriatico represents an opportunity for the University of Trieste to contribute to building dialogue between worlds that are only seemingly distant. Only through cooperation,’ concludes Di Lenarda, ’can we come up with effective solutions for the great developments of our time.’

In a social context in which there are 56 wars involving over 90 countries worldwide, international relations must play a crucial role in promoting peace, which is one of the priorities of GeoAdriatico. The event is sponsored, among others, by the Italian Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

‘International relations, in a complex world in conflict, are an effective tool for dialogue for peace,’ says Roberto Vitale, president of GeoAdriatico and Vitale Onlus and creator of the international symposium. The city of Trieste is a multicultural melting pot which, given its central position in the new geopolitical arena, must become a centre of multireligious dialogue in which to develop strategies for war prevention and conflict resolution.’

The opening ceremony of GeoAdriatico will take place on Thursday 12th June at 10:00 in the reception hall of the MIB Trieste School of Management, and will also feature speeches by Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dario Giacomin, military representative of NATO and the European Union in Brussels, Nicola Casagli, president of the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), and Vittorio Torbianelli, special commissioner of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea.

On the same day at 15:00 in the reception hall of the General Secretariat of the CEE (Central European Initiative) there will be a discussion on economics and finance for the revival and integration of the Western Balkans, with the participation from Marco Alberti, Italian Ambassador to Albania, Luca Gori, Italian Ambassador to Serbia, Gabriele Bellon, Director General of BCC Venezia Giulia, Salvatore La Rosa, Head of Research and Innovation at Area Science Park, Nicola Polato, Head of the North-East section of SIMEST, Tatjana Rojc, member of the European Union Policy Committee of the Italian Senate, and Gregor Šuc, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia, moderated by Stefano Polli, Deputy Director of the ANSA Press Agency.

Among the 70+ participants of GeoAdriatico representing 20 countries will be Massimo Gallo, director of the Trieste branch of the Bank of Italy, Tullio Gregori, professor of Finance at the University of Trieste, Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of Fincantieri's Merchant Ships Division, and Stefano Pilotto, professor of International Relations at MIB Trieste School of Management.         

The second day, Friday 13th June, will open in the Reception Hall of the Palazzo della Regione (Regional Government Building), which will host a round table discussion aimed at framing Trieste's role as the arrival point of the East India Corridor. The meeting, which will be opened by Alessia Rosolen, Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, Universities and Family, will feature contributions from Pierpaolo Ribuffo, coordinator of the Maritime Policy Unit of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Antonio Bartoli, Italian Ambassador to India, Federico Donelli, professor of International Relations at the University of Trieste, Antonio Gurrieri, Secretary General of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, and Damir Murkovic, President of the Chambers of Commerce of Central and Eastern Europe. Reservation is mandatory for participation in this round table, and can be made via email to segreteria@vitaleonlus.it by Tuesday 10th June.

GeoAdriatico, which is partnered with the ANSA press agency, will continue at the Area Science Park Conference Centre. On Friday afternoon at15:00, research on the era of global data will be introduced by Caterina Petrillo, president of Area Science Park. The discussion will be led by Denise Amram, lawyer and professor of comparative private law at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Stefano Cozzini, director of the Area Science Park Research Institute for Technological Innovation, Giorgia Lodi, technologist at the Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies of the Italian National Research Council (CNR), Giorgio Rossi, professor of physics at the University of Milan, and Paolo Valenti, research director at the National Institute of Nuclear Physics. The discussion will be moderated by Francesca Iannelli, spokesperson for the president of Area Science Park. 

This will be followed by a discussion on Space and Artificial Intelligence with Anna Gregorio Michelazzi, astrophysicist at the University of Trieste, in the Desiata room of the Camera di Commercio Venezia Giulia (Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce), a partner of the conference. After an opening speech by Giorgio Marrapodi, Italian ambassador to Turkey, there will be presentations by Maria Angelucci, business developer at WSense, Sylvio Barbon Junior, head of the Machine Learning Lab (DIA) at the University of Trieste, Giuseppe Coronella, CEO of Mare FVG, Beatrice Manassero, from the Space and Scientific Cooperation Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Milena Menna, oceanographer and physicist at the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), Fabrizio Rovatti, project manager at Area Science Park, Vincenzo Vitale, maritime director of the Marche region and commander of the Port Authority of Ancona, and Marco Brancati, technical director of Telespazio, a company owned by Leonardo.

Saturday 14th June will begin at 9:30 in the Sala Rossa of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea with a lecture by Roberto Danovaro, the world's leading expert on seas and oceans. The lecture is aimed at students from the Sustainable Blue Growth master's programme, which is directed by Mounir Ghribi, who, in turn, will talk about the sea as an essential element for the future of societies. 

At 10:00, the concluding round table will take place in the Sala del Mare of the Port Authority of Trieste, dedicated to the climate crisis, women and human rights. Speakers, moderated by Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of TWAS, will include Max Paoli, coordinator of TWAS UNESCO programme (Academy of Sciences for the Developing World), Maria Cristina Fossi, professor of Ecology and Ecotoxicology at the University of Siena, who was the world’s first scientist to provide evidence of the effects of plastic on whales, Stella Koutika, from the Centre for Research on the Sustainability and Productivity of Industrial Plantations in Congo, Antonio Navarra, president of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change, Sara Nowreen, researcher at the Institute of Water and Flood Management in Bangladesh, and Vania Torrez, from the Institute of Ecology at the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés in Bolivia.

In 2025, the University of Trieste is still one of the most reputable and dynamic Italian academic institutions, combining quality of education, international openness and concrete employment prospects for its graduates. 

The 27th AlmaLaurea Report attests to this, a report analysing the performance of students who graduated in 2024. 

The University of Trieste stands out in terms of employment rates, with results above the national and regional averages. One year after graduation, 84.8% of bachelor’s degree graduates who have not continued their studies are employed, compared to 78.6% as the national average and 84.6% in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The net monthly salary is €1,522, higher than both the national average (€1,492) and the regional average (€1,497).

The situation is particularly positive for master's degree graduates, who are reported as having significantly higher average salaries and rates of employment, especially compared to the national average. One year after graduation, the graduate employment rate is 86.9% (78.6% nationally), with an average net monthly salary of €1,607 (€1,488 in Italy). Five years after graduation, employment reaches 93.0%, exceeding the regional and national figures (92.7% and 89.7% respectively), while the average monthly salary reaches €1, 988 euros (1,923 in FVG, 1,847 in Italy), with peaks of 2,014 euros among two-year master's degree graduates and 1,949 euros among integrated master’s degree graduates.

The data of UniTS graduates paints a picture of a university capable of attracting students from beyond regional and national borders. In fact, 41.5% of graduates come from outside the region, compared to a regional average of 33.8% and a national average of 24.5%, while 4.8% are foreign nationals (3.6% is the regional average). This is even more prevalent in two-year master's degree courses, where 47.9% of students come from other regions and 6% from other countries.

The quality of the education offered by UniTS is also reflected in the widespread use of curricular internships, which are provided for and recognised by the degree programmes. This has benefited 62.9% of graduates (compared to 61% nationally), with participation reaching 75.8% among master's degree students and 87.6% if experiences during their bachelor’s degree are included.

The data on international mobility is also excellent: 13.2% of graduates participated in a study abroad experience recognised by their degree programme, which is higher than both the national and regional averages (10.3% and 12.1% respectively). The figure is 13.2% among three-year graduates and 13% among master's degree graduates, rising to 18.7% if experiences gained during their bachelor’s degree are also included.

Finally, students confirm the high quality of the academic experience in Trieste: 88.7% say they are overall satisfied with their university experience, with very positive evaluations of their relationships with teachers (87%), workload (79.6%) and teaching facilities (84.7%).

The 27th AlmaLaurea Report analysed the performance of over 305,000 graduates in 2024 from 80 Italian universities, including 3,226 from the University of Trieste: 1,842 bachelor’s degrees, 979 master's degrees and 405 integrated master’s degrees.