Address: Piazza Pugliatti 1, 98122 Messina, Sicilia, Italy
Engineering, Life Sciences, Chemical Sciences
The University of Messina, Università degli Studi di Messina, stands on the Strait of Messina in Sicily. Pope Paul III established it in 1548, although regular teaching began only in 1596. It was closed in 1678 after an anti-Spanish revolt, and it was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1908, which killed 14 members of its teaching staff and destroyed most of its libraries and scientific equipment.
After the disaster, the university reopened in October 1909 with the Faculty of Law, and other faculties followed in the years that followed. The post-war reconstruction is associated with the rectors Gaetano Martino and Salvatore Pugliatti. Among its historical teachers were the scientists Giovanni Alfonso Borelli and Marcello Malpighi, and later the poet Giovanni Pascoli and the historian Gaetano Salvemini.
Today the university is organised into 12 departments spread over four sites in the city: the historic centre, Policlinico, Papardo and Annunziata. Engineering, life sciences and chemical sciences are listed as main specialties in the directory, and the official website provides information on its study programmes.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Food Science, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Marine Science, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Physics, Process Control, Robotics, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
EUA, UNIMED. Collaborations related to marine environment and Mediterranean studies.
Research:
Marine biology and ecology, Pharmaceutical and chemical sciences, Engineering for sustainable development, Neurosciences.
Famous Alumnis:
Giorgio La Pira
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1500
Current students***:
23000
Foreign students***:
N/A%
Cumulative former students***:
100000
Pros
Historic university, strategic location for marine studies, comprehensive offerings.
Cons
Socio-economic challenges of the region, some facilities need updating, brain drain.
Best For
Historic university in Sicily with diverse programs in engineering, life, and chemical sciences.
Università degli Studi di Catania, also in Sicily, is strong in engineering, physics and computer science.
Università degli Studi della Calabria, across the strait, teaches computer and environmental engineering and materials science.
Università degli Studi di Salerno offers computer science, engineering and chemistry in Campania.
Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II is a large southern university whose main fields include engineering, computer science and physics.
Università degli Studi di Pavia combines engineering, physics and life sciences, in the north.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
University of Seville in Spain is a city university teaching literature and philology, geography and history, among other fields.
University of Lisbon, Portugal, brings together engineering, sciences, medicine, law and arts.
Université de Liège in Belgium is known for aerospace engineering, materials science and life sciences.
Universität Rostock (Germany) works on maritime systems, ocean technology and life sciences.
In South Korea, Pusan National University is a port-city institution with engineering, life sciences and materials among its fields.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
Who established the University of Messina, and when?
It was established by Pope Paul III in 1548. Regular teaching started in 1596 and was interrupted in 1678.
What happened to the university in 1908?
The earthquake that struck Messina killed 14 members of its teaching staff and destroyed most of its libraries and scientific facilities. The university reopened in October 1909, starting with Law.
How many departments does it have?
The university is organised into 12 departments. They are grouped around four sites in Messina: the central historic site, Policlinico, Papardo and Annunziata.
Which famous scholars taught there?
Giovanni Alfonso Borelli and Marcello Malpighi were professors in its early period. Later teachers included Giovanni Pascoli and Gaetano Salvemini.
Who led the reconstruction after the Second World War?
The rectors Gaetano Martino and Salvatore Pugliatti are associated with the rebuilding of the university.
Where can I find degree programmes and international options?
The university website lists its degree programmes and information for international students.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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