RIETI (ITALPRESS) – A structural investment on high training, research and technological transfer to support the economic and social recovery of the territories affected by the earthquake of 2016. With the approval of the “Rieti Città Universitaria” Convention scheme, the Extraordinary Commissioner for Reconstruction of the Sisma 2016 earmarked €9.5 million of the residual resources of the Fund for Cohesion to the development of a stable university and scientific centre in the district, in close collaboration with the Lazio Region, the University of Sapienza and the University of Tuscia Studies. The project is part of the measures provided for in Article 1, paragraph 194, of Law No 178 of 2020 and represents the outcome of a path initiated in previous years, based on interinstitutional agreements and on a long-term vision for the relaunching of the crater area. “Rieti Città Universitaria” aims to consolidate and strengthen the educational offer already active in the territory, while strengthening applied research, technological transfer and advanced training activities related to the prevention of seismic risk and urban regeneration.
“With Rieti University City – says Extraordinary Commissioner at the earthquake 2016 Guido Castelli – we make a leap forward in the path of economic and social repair of the seismic crater. Reconstruction cannot be limited to the material restoration of buildings, but must create stable and lasting development conditions, especially for the new generations. Investing in universities, research and training means investing in the future of the territories affected by the earthquake, offering young concrete opportunities, and contrasting the process of depopulation that has long plagued the central Apennines. This project is the result of a strong institutional collaboration with the Lazio Region, universities and local authorities, and is consistent with the strategy we are carrying out: transforming fragility into a relaunch. Investing on human capital, knowledge and territorial cohesion Rieti can become an advanced laboratory of innovation, able to connect scientific knowledge, enterprises and public policies, strengthening local competitiveness and supporting the growth of new productive chains. This result is the result of a work that has seen the Mayor Sinibaldi, the Councillor Rinaldi and Mr Trancassini, whom I thank.”.
The Mayor of Rieti, Daniele Sinibaldi, said: “We promised that we would work to make Rieti a university city and formation and the goal is realized day after day. Not only the arrival of the faculty of Medicine and other new courses, not only the recovery of numerous properties of the historical center returned to new life through the university destination, but new and substantial funding such as today’s are contributing to increasingly strengthen the University of Rieti. These additional 9.5 million euros will allow us to strengthen and expand the educational offer in the City, thanks to the collaboration with La Sapienza in Rome, Tuscia in Viterbo and the Lazio Region. I would like to thank all the actors who have long been involved in this really historical process for the Capoluogo and the entire province, starting from the Mr. Paolo Trancassini and of course from Commissioner Guido Castelli who does not fail to support our vision of Rieti of the future”.
“To invest in university is synonymous with future. The project “Rieti Città Universitaria” is a strategic intervention for the revival of Rieti and the central Apennines. Our idea to reconstruct the economic fabric of the territory continues: the university is a solid starting point for the Italian Centre of the future. All this is possible thanks to the commitment of the Special Office for the Reconstruction of Lazio, Commissioner Guido Castelli and Mr Paolo Trancassini”, said the Councillor for the Reconstruction of the Lazio Region, Manuela Rinaldi. The central element of the initiative is the valorization of the university system whole Sapienza-Tuscia and the Research Centre for Innovation on Circular Economy and Health (CRIECS), already operating in Rieti, which represents a strategic notion of integration between universities, enterprises and institutions. The project also provides for the recovery and re-functionalization of important public real estate, such as the former Ospedale di Rieti and the “Nazzareno Strampelli” Institute, intended to welcome educational activities, research and related services.
The initiative takes on a wide territorial value, setting itself as a reference pole for the entire secular seismic crater and for the regions affected by the earthquake of 2016. Through the strengthening of human capital, support for local productive vocations and the creation of an ecosystem of innovation, “Rieti Città Universitaria” aims to counter dispopulation, loss of skills and economic marginalization, generating qualified and lasting occupational relapses.
– photos of repertoire IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
