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Third Mission

Learn more and updates on Italian version

The Third Mission concerns (defined by ANVUR) ​​"the set of activities through which universities enter into direct interaction with society, providing a contribution that complements the traditional missions of teaching (where interaction takes place with a specific segment of society, students) and research (where interaction is mainly with the scientific community)" 

In this context, the third mission is recognized as the economic valorization of knowledge and thus the "entrepreneurial" and proactive role of universities. Concretely, this means a more dynamic connection with key economic players (particularly in local communities), the ability to consolidate and cultivate entrepreneurial culture, and the effective "commercialization" of research through spin-offs and patents. In turn, industry is called upon to share its expertise, contextualizing research and promoting interaction between universities and local communities.

This is achieved through direct interaction between the University and civil society and the business community, with the aim of promoting the economic and social growth of the region, so that knowledge becomes instrumental in achieving social, cultural, and economic benefits.

Its objectives are focused on three main axes:

  • the economic valorization of knowledge, through the transformation of the knowledge produced by research into knowledge useful for productive purposes: management of intellectual property (patents), creation of businesses (spin-offs), contract research and research-industry relationships, management of intermediation and support structures at a local level;
  • the cultural and social mission, through the production of public goods that increase the well-being of society, in the educational (adult education, lifelong learning, continuing education) and cultural (events and cultural heritage, museum management, archaeological excavations, scientific dissemination) fields, social (public health, community activities, technical/professional advice provided by teams), and civic awareness (public debates and controversies, scientific expertise).

  • Promote coordination among those conducting basic and applied research at universities, research institutions, and public and private institutions. Furthermore, it aims to collaborate with national, European, and non-European organizations responsible for promoting, guiding, and funding basic and applied scientific research, discussing the criteria for defining the scientific quality of research in its specific disciplinary field in all its aspects.

    The dAeD promotes the direct application, valorization, and use of knowledge to contribute to the social, cultural, and economic development of society.

    The Department's expertise is therefore leveraged with the business and professional worlds to effectively contribute to a dynamic, technologically advanced, and internationally competitive economy. For this reason, it is essential to create synergies, collaborative activities, and exchanges of ideas with businesses and the manufacturing and entrepreneurial worlds to develop effective and shared projects between the research and industry worlds. Only in this way can the quality of knowledge and research be improved, only if it is applicable and connected to reality and its ever-changing evolution. 

    In this way, technological, scientific, and cultural transfer, operating directly within the various local contexts, will update and shape research and knowledge development, taking into account the economic and social transformations of the region and its communities. The ongoing dialogue between advanced research, technology, the business world, and the region will continually generate new stimuli for research and development, closely linked to the social, economic, and cultural transformations of the region.

    For more information:

    Prof. Martino Milardi, dAeD Delegate for Technology Transfer and Third Mission (companies, Department laboratories, third-party contractors, spin-offs, infrastructure) [email protected]