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Third Mission

By “Third Mission,” we refer to the set of activities focused on the transfer of scientific, technological, and cultural knowledge, and the productive transformation of this knowledge, through which universities engage directly with civil society and business structures. The aim is to make knowledge an instrument for achieving economic, social, and cultural benefits.

As defined by ANVUR, the Third Mission is an institutional responsibility of universities that complements the two primary functions of the university: education (the First Mission, centered on interactions with students) and research (the Second Mission, primarily involving interaction with scientific communities or peers). This role is recognized by Legislative Decree 19/2012, which outlines the principles of “Self-assessment, Periodic Evaluation, and Accreditation,” and further established by Ministerial Decree 47/2013, which identifies indicators and evaluation parameters for both research and the Third Mission.

The Third Mission has two primary objectives:

  1. Economic Exploitation of Knowledge: This involves transforming knowledge generated through research into practical applications for productive purposes. This includes managing intellectual property, creating businesses, engaging in third-party research, fostering research-industry relations, and managing intermediaries and support structures, often on a regional scale.
  2. Cultural and Social Mission: This focuses on producing public goods that enhance societal well-being. It spans educational efforts (such as adult education, lifelong learning, and continuing professional development), cultural initiatives (like managing events, cultural heritage, museums, archaeological excavations, and scientific dissemination), social endeavors (public health, community activities, technical and professional consulting), and promoting civic awareness (through public debates, discussions, and scientific expertise).

In practice, the Third Mission involves enhancing the outputs of education and research by fostering collaboration, exchange, and mutual development between the university and stakeholders, with an emphasis on local communities and the broader social context, contributing to the creation of a knowledge society.

The Department engages in cultural and social outreach (public engagement) by organizing:

  • Orientation, dissemination, and interaction events with primary and secondary schools.
  • Public events with a strong cultural focus.

Additionally, the Department is involved in the economic application of knowledge by providing companies and public institutions access to the expertise of its researchers, acting as a high-quality provider for environmental protection through:

  • Spin-offs
  • Licensing
  • Services for third parties
  • Specialized training
  • Certification of skills