L.I.U.C.

My first full day in Italy was spent at this rather newly established Italian university, which had extended an invitation for me to visit it since 3 years ago. Its abbreviation stands for ‘Libero Istituto Universitario Cattaneo’. It was founded in 1991 at the initiative of the Industrial Association of the province of Varese, with the goal of fostering the development of a business culture and training graduates for the business world.


This institution, (www.liuc.it), also known as Universita’ Carlo Cattaneo, is located in a tranquil, at ease, and very tidy town of 15,000 pop. : Castellanza, in the above province of Varese, part of the industrial region of Lombardy, headed by Milan, which is located about 45 minutes away by train. It takes the name from the Lombard economist, Carlo Cattaneo, who influenced its creation due to the ‘need of a locally based institute of higher learning, geared to the economic activities of this area’. The outcome was a collaborative project from authoritative exponents from universities, finance, and industry, and it offers today degrees in 3 major fields: Economics, Engineering, and Law.

Current figures include 2,400 students (of which 290 are enrolled in Professional Masters courses), 200 lecturers (full, and associate professors, researchers, and non-tenured staff), with an excellent teacher/student ratio of 1 lecturer for every 15 students. It’s equipped with good libraries, university residences (252 rooms, 468 beds), cafeteria, parking, and cabling facilities, a copy center, a laundry area, shops, and even a bank branch.

In 2005 1.200.000 euro were allocated to scholarships and other forms of student funding, with 50% reduction in tuition fees for high performers. The tuition fees for visiting students for 2006-2007 are 600 euro for semester (up to 30 credits). One of the most remarkable facts, however, in today’s difficult Italian economic/employment environment is that this university is able to guarantee all interested students at least one business placement as part of their study program (average placement time is 46 days - over 95% of graduates are employed with a year of graduation, while the Italian national average is 55% at best).

My arrival in town from Milan was delayed by an unexpected break down of the local train that came to a halt after the first 2 stops. However, when I was met at the station I was informed that the state of Italian railroads is in such a bad shape that this type of occurrence is not uncommon these days.


It was a grey, chilly day, typical of the Lombardy region in winter time, but the welcome by locals and the university was warm, and the time spent here with the head of International Relations was interesting and very pleasant.


I was taken on a complete tour of the huge campus, which covers the area once occupied by a large, privately owned, factory and villa, now converted into offices, classrooms, dormitories, and the many other facilities indicated above. The original architectural style was maintained throughout the buildings, with the interiors completely guttered out and modernized. The campus also includes a hotel, annexed to the big cafeteria, where university visitors and guests can be accommodated.

Before returning to Milan, I was treated to an excellent and relaxed lunch at one of Castellanza’s local restaurants. My day, however, did not end here. One of my Italian cousins, living in Milan, came to pick me up at the hotel around 7:30pm and I had another wonderful meal, dinner at his apartment.


The day just coincided with his birthday, thus, we also…..imbibed! The day that started at 6:30am, was over by 1:00am of the following morning, but my alarm was again set for an early rise that same day.