It was feared already after the first year of the pandemic and it has now arrived: the collapse of registrations (-2.8%) in Italian universities. This means 9,400 fewer students, “whose decision not to enroll is the result of cyclical criticalities and structural inequities, which condition access to university education”, writes Censis on the release today of the new ranking of Italian universities. The 2022-23 ranking, available on the website www.censis.it, sees Bologna, Pavia, Siena and Camerino excel, depending on the size, from mega to small universities. A guide to university choice, drawn up for over twenty years to guide graduates and accompanied by an analysis of the academic system. And this time, what worries Censis analysts most is the fact that the university is no longer seen as a social elevator.
Those who don’t sign up
More males than females decide not to continue their studies after graduation (3.2 against 2.6%) and the phenomenon of non-enrollment mainly affects universities in the South (- 5.1%) which lose 4,900 students. The universities in the center fell by 2.9%, those in the North-West by 2.3% and those in the North-East by 0.1%. Telematics also collapsed (-20%). 51% of the missing students are in the humanities courses, they hold the Stem disciplines (-0.95). The rectors, consulted by Censis, agree: the impoverishment of families is weighed down, to which is added a growing unease among young people post-pandemic with respect to a future they no longer see. That the economic crisis has had a weight in the choice not to continue studying after the high school diploma can also be seen from the ranking: the universities that have invested most in the right to study are growing.
Bologna leads the mega universities
Alma Mater, which goes against the tide with + 4% of freshmen, has been confirmed first for 13 years, followed by Padua and Sapienza. Compared to last year, Pisa overtakes Florence, Milan goes up in place of Turin. The lowest scores, with the exception of the Tuscan and Bari universities, are mainly in the item services: that is, canteens and accommodation.
Perugia loses the record
Among the great universities, Pavia jumps to first place, making Perugia relegate after a long period. The University of Calabria and Ca ‘Foscari grew by one position, while Milan Bicocca (+13 points in student services) and Cagliari (+10 points in digital services) rose by two places. Salerno collapsed by nine positions mainly due to the decrease in the stock markets and other services indicator (-28 points). Tor Vergata stable, which is tenth; gains a position Chieti and breaking latest news. Roma Tre, Catania and Messina close.
Siena bypasses Trento
Among the universities with 10-20 thousand members, Siena opens the ranking by dropping Trento, which was first, to third position. Sale Sassari, thanks to 15 points more for scholarships and services. Trieste stable preceding Udine (minus two positions).
Camerino guides the little ones
Among the little ones, Camerino remains first, followed by Macerata. In third place, having climbed three positions thanks to the increase of 8 and 6 points on web services and employability, is Reggio Calabria. The Lazio universities of Cassino and Tuscia move back to fourth and fifth position. The University of Basilicata rises, the University of Sannio slips three places due to 23 points less on scholarships and services.
Valerii speaks: “The drop in registrations is worrying”
Massimiliano Valerii, director of Censis, looks with concern at the decline in registrations. And he turns to young people: “Be nonconformists: study because the university serves to have better living conditions and income, to be better equipped to decipher the complexity of the world“.
Valerii, this generation does not see and has no prospects on the horizon.
“Precisely for this reason I feel like telling young people not to throw in the towel in the study, living it as an act of rebellion against a world that does not give you prospects. In reality, this would be an act of conformity. I invite them, on the contrary, to do not accept the often discouraging dominant narratives, the status quo as if it were a predetermined and ineluctable destiny. Rather, despite all the difficulties, they must leverage their talents and choose university education to give themselves more chances in work and in life “.
Instead, what happened this year is the drop in registrations: a bad sign?
“The feared collapse has occurred and is worrying. The phenomenon has a greater incidence in universities in the South, in the humanities and in non-state universities because they have higher fees. Instead, scientific disciplines and polytechnics hold. But I would not underestimate a another alarm bell “.
Which?
“The greater polarization that can occur with this inflationary surge: on the one hand more young people who divest in their studies, on the other those who come from more affluent families who will be able to stratify degrees and masters in their curriculum. Already for this generation of young people there is ‘social lift no longer works, but if it perpetuates and increases the class gap, the role of education is completely lost “.
How should the university system react?
“It is right with the PNRR resources to support research and innovation, inserting universities in international networks. But be careful not to use them only to multiply doctorates. Many universities are behind on services and scholarships. Instead, large resources are needed to facilitate the access to university “.