An "incomprehensible" act that violates the university's "constitutional duties." The controversy escalates over the University of Bologna's refusal to accept the Modena Academy's proposal to organize a philosophy course for officer cadets, revealed last Saturday by Army Chief of Staff Carmine Masiello.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the decision: "I believe," she emphasized, "that the decision taken by the Department of Philosophy of the University of Bologna is incomprehensible and gravely wrong." It is "not only unacceptable, but also violates the constitutional duties that underpin the University's autonomy."

And this, she emphasizes, because "as a center of pluralism and debate, it has a duty to welcome and promote every path to cultural advancement, remaining totally free from ideological prejudices. This refusal calls into question the very role of the Armed Forces, a fundamental bulwark of the defense and security of the Republic, as enshrined in the Constitution." Furthermore, Meloni emphasizes, "having personnel also trained in the humanities guarantees the depth of analysis, vision, and lateral thinking essential to addressing the challenges entrusted to the Armed Forces." These considerations, expressed by the Prime Minister, are echoed by the words of the Minister of Universities, Anna Maria Bernini, who assures that "the course will be held. I guarantee its implementation."

In this regard, he spoke in Modena, "I am committed, with a strong sense of responsibility, to ensuring not only the implementation of the program, but also to taking a further step: I have proposed the creation of a joint group of universities in Emilia-Romagna, led by the University of Modena-Reggio Emilia, to effectively meet the educational needs of the Academy's students." In response to the Government's attack, the Alma Mater, led by Rector Giovanni Molari, responded by guaranteeing that "the University of Bologna has never 'denied' or 'refused' enrollment to anyone. As with all Italian universities, anyone who meets the necessary requirements can freely enroll in the University's programs, including men and women in the Armed Forces." Furthermore, he concluded, "the University of Bologna collaborates on a permanent basis with the Military Academy of Modena, whose students, under specific agreements spanning twenty years, have reserved places in the Veterinary Medicine program."

There has been no shortage of commentary from the political world on the affair and its aftermath, with center-left figures critical of the prime minister's entry into the political arena.

"Instead of raising a threatening fuss against the University of Bologna simply for the purpose of cheap propaganda to distract attention from the country's problems that her government is failing to address," says Nicola Fratoianni of AVS, "she should be prime minister and instead support education, universities, and public research, which are increasingly struggling thanks to the lack of action by her own government." These words are echoed by Alfredo D'Attorre, head of universities for the Democratic Party secretariat: "It's surreal that President Meloni, constantly seeking distractions from her actual government duties, would now find the time and opportunity to attack the University of Bologna," he argues. "There's no need," he continues, "to point out the obvious: that it's a positive thing for officer cadets to enrich their education with a course of philosophical studies."

(Unioneonline)

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