(ANS – Mestre) – On Saturday 10th November, the inauguration of the academic year 2012-2013 of Institute, the Salesian University of Venezia (IUSVE) took place. From the educational experience of the Sons of Don Bosco in an eight-year span, one of the four Universities of Venice (Ca ' Foscari, Iuav and Marcianum) grew rapidly, the only one that has its headquarters in Mestre.

The day began with a Mass presided by Fr. Roberto Dal Molin, Provincial of the Salesians of the Province of Northeast Italy and President of IUSVE. Then followed the greetings of the authorities – Fr Renzo Barduca, General Secretary, IUSVE, the Provincial, and, via a video message, Dr. Marco Rossi Doria, Under-Secretary of State of the Ministry of Education, of the University and of Research, past-pupil of the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome – and some reports on the value of knowledge in relation to the University's contribution to the world of work and education challenges.

The IUSVE has very respectable numbers: over 1300 students enrolled in undergraduate and Master's degrees, 150 teachers, 240 courses, 10 thousand hours of tuition each year, three departments – Pedagogy, Psychology and Communication –from 2004 to date, over 700 students have graduated, only 460 registrations in this academic year.

The motto that stands at the entrance to the headquarters of Mestre is a phrase of Don Bosco: "Light up your mind to make the heart good ".

"We offer not only knowledge but also skills. - explains the Secretary-General, Fr Barduca. - In addition to the theory, for us it is a fundamental part of workshops and exercises. In the selection of teachers, we give preference to those that ' know ', that already have mature experience." Important for the centre of study - that in Verona has two other locations - is the work of co-design of some paths along to prospective users, companies or entities of the third sector. "We want to underline how thought and action should be closely intertwined. – says the Headmaster, Arduino Salatin – It is positive then to have contact, during the University period, with those organizations where you plan on going to work ".

There are two other characters that distinguish the IUSVE: The Salesian style that is open to the familiarity and the anthropological model inspired by the fundamental values of Christianity.

Last May 26th, the IUSVE inaugurated its new headquarters in Mestre. The new building, which has added 3,000 m² of classrooms and offices to the previous site, has been called a "smart and green" building .

The proposals of the Salesian University are attracting an increasing interest on the part of graduates of the territory. Last July 7th , applications for the degree course in Sciences and Techniques of Communication graphics and multimedia were closed after a few hours, reaching the maximum number of pupils expected (80 places in Mestre), with a waiting list that has reached 300.

Published 15/11/2012