Italy from Re.ViCa

Partners situated in Italy:

• International Telematic University UNINETTUNO

Italy as a state

Administrative division

Italy is a democratic republic and a developed country with the 20th highest GDP per capita, the 8th-highest Quality-of-life index, and the 20th-highest Human Development Index rating in the world. It is a founding member of what is now the European Union, having signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957.

Italy's total area is 301,230 km², of which 294,020 km² is land and 7,210 km² is water, subdivided into 20 regions.

In May of 2007, Italy officially reached more than 59.4 million persons. Italy currently has the fourth largest population in the European Union, and the 22nd largest population in the world

Italy as a field of education

33rd and 34th articles of Italian Constitution establish the freedom to teach and learn sciences, arts and professions.

The Italian school system at present is based on primary, secondary and higher education. Younger children can go to the nursery school from the age of 3 years until they are 6. This school is not compulsory but is now rather normal to send the childern to these schools.

Pre-education

Pre-education is not compulsory. Parents have the option to send children to a kindergarten fot between one and three years.

Compulsory education

The primary level starts at the age of 6 until the age of 11.

Primary school: duration 5 years (6 y/old - 11 y/old children)
Secondary School: duration 3 years (11 y/old - 14 y/old)

After the primary school follows the secondary school until 14 years of age. At that age the compulsary education is completed. The compulsory education is free, families have to pay for the books only at the secondary school.

Secondary education

Secondary high school is composed of different kind of schools with their own finality, duration and programmes, i.e.:

• Artistical education: Nat. Accademy for drammatic art, Nat. Accademy for dance, Conservatory, School for art, Artistical high school, Musical high school;
• Technical education: School for aviation, school for agronomics, school for expert in managment and school for correspondent in foreign languages, school for commercial techniques, school for feminine techniques, school for land surveyor, school for industrial techniques, school for nautical techniques, school for tourism;
• Humanistical education: cultural education (classical high school, scientifical high school, high school for languages), pedagogical education (magisterial school and the experimental magisterial school);
• Military education: School for the Air Force, school for the Carabineers Service, school for the Army, school for the Revenue Guard Corps, school for the Navy, school for the National Guard.

IFTS (programs of higher vocational education and training)

These programs are meant for young people and adults holding a school leaving qualification who, whether employed or unemployed, wish to specialize for a quick transition to, or for re-qualification in, the labor market. IFTS programs last from two or four semesters (1200 to 2400 hours), and give those who graduate from them professional qualifications with good employment prospects.

University System in Italy

In conformity to the 1999 reform, Italian university studies are organised on 3 cycles .

I. First cycle

Undergraduate studies consist in Corsi di Laurea-CL (1st degree courses) aimed at guaranteeing undergraduate students an adequate command of general scientific methods and contents as well as specific professional skills.

General access requirement is the Italian school leaving qualification (Diploma di Superamento dell'Esame di Stato conclusivo dei corsi di Istruzione Secondaria Superiore), awarded on passing the relevant state examinations, after completion of 13 years of global schooling; also foreign comparable qualifications may be accepted. Admission to individual degree courses may be subject to specific course requirements.

First degree courses last 3 years. The Laurea-L (1st degree) is awarded to undergraduates who have earned 180 credits.

II. Second cycle

Graduate studies include

1. Corsi di Laurea Specialistica-CLS;
2. Corsi di Specializzazione di 1° livello-CS1;
3. Corsi di Master Universitario di 1° livello-CMU1.

CLS are aimed at providing graduates with an advanced level of education for the exercise of a highly qualified activity in specific areas. Access to CLS is by the Italian 1st degree (L) or a foreign comparable degree; length is 2 years.

CS1 are devised to provide the knowledge and abilities needed for the practice of highly qualifying professions; they may be established exclusively in application of specific Italian laws or EU directives.

CMU1 consist in advanced scientific courses or higher continuing education studies, open to the holders of a Laurea-L or a foreign comparable degree;

III. Third cycle

Postgraduate studies consist of the following typologies of degree courses:

1. Corsi di Dottorato di Ricerca-CDR (research doctorate programmes);
2. Corsi di Specializzazione di 2° livello-CS2 (2nd level specialisation courses);
3. Corsi di Master Universitario di 2° livello-CMU2 (2nd level university master degree courses).

Distance degree courses and Telematic Universities

Traditional Universities in Italy has constantly increased their involvement in e-learning degree courses providing. The development of the e-learning provision undertaken by the Italian universities can be described as a growing process not only in quantity but also in quality and innovation regarding the offered e-learning solutions. The table below shows the growing number of universities providing elearning and the increase of the number of universities that offer their e-learning courses on a virtual campus:

Indicators	2003	2004	2005
Universities that offer e-learning	72,2%	83%	85%
Universities with a Virtual Campus	26%	57%	82%

Source: Osservatorio Anee/Assinform 2005

Telematic Universities are non-state universities specialized in e-learning. Those with legal recognition provide distance learning programs accredited by the state.

References

• MIUR - Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca
  
• ECTS - The Italian University System / CRUI (Conferenza dei Rettori delle Università italiane )
  
• Global Foundation for Management Education)
  
• EDUVINET Service - Education via Networks in the European Union
  
• Osservatorio Anee/Assinform 2005

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