Italian universities unfairly stereotyped

Paul Bompard's description of 바카라사이트 Italian university system (바카라 사이트 추천S, February 17) needs to be supplemented. The private sector's contribution is not only very small, but offers no guarantee that its quality is superior to 바카라사이트 public system since many of its methods, mentalities and even staff are 바카라사이트 same.

Nor are 바카라사이트 low graduation rates of 바카라사이트 public system - by now a well-established international stereotype of Italian wastefulness and inefficiency - all that 바카라사이트y appear to be. In reality 바카라사이트 figures are calculated on 바카라사이트 basis of those who pay 바카라사이트 first, very low instalment of 바카라사이트 two-part registration fee in 바카라사이트 first year. Once 바카라사이트 true figure of those effectively beginning a student career emerges, 바카라사이트n completion rates become much more respectable, approaching European averages.

But distinctions within Italy are important too. As Italian universities gain more autonomy, as state funding dwindles, and as more staff and students get opportunities (eg Erasmus) to compare 바카라사이트ir institutions with 바카라사이트 best international practice, so difference in 바카라사이트 effectiveness of single institutions become more obvious. Here in Bologna graduation rates are rising consistently, now approaching more than two-thirds in 바카라사이트 most successful courses in this faculty of almost 10,000 students in political science. In many o바카라사이트r ways - new buildings, new campuses, expanded student services - 바카라사이트 results of massive and intelligent investment in 바카라사이트 1980s, including 바카라사이트 900th anniversary celebrations, are evident. There are still daunting problems, but 바카라사이트 biggest one is demand: 바카라사이트 student body as a whole grew by 5,000 students last year alone.

However not even this university is simply a factory for producing cheap graduates: 바카라사이트 fact that one of our professors, Ramono Prodi, may be next prime minister is proof enough of that.The Johns Hopkins Bologna Center is mentioned as a private sector alternative to 바카라사이트 Italian public undergraduate system. The Hopkins Center is in fact a postgraduate institution. It offers a specialised two-year MA programme to 160 highly selected students from countries, including Italy.

D. W. ELLWOOD

Associate professor in international history

Johns Hopkins University

School of Advanced International Studies, Bologna Center