No Doubt about the Legal Value of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano
May 3, 2024
Two recent Italian rulings have reaffirmed the legal validity of the academic degrees from the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano, highlighting the significance of the Lisbon Convention for the Italian institution also known as “UNI-Internazionale”.
The Verdict from the Ravenna Tribunal: A Confirmation of Academic Legitimacy
The ruling issued on February 12, 2024, by the Ravenna Tribunal, presided over by Judge Anna Maria Venturelli, marks a significant turning point for the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano. This verdict focuses on the dispute regarding the right of former student Mr. Santoro Giovanni to use the title “Doctor” in Sociology, a degree he earned from the university. The challenge originated from a previous ordinance by the Prefect of the Province of Ravenna, which questioned the legitimacy of the institution to award academic titles.
The case opened with the Prefect issuing an injunction based on the erroneous assumption that the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano was not authorized to issue such titles. The University’s defense revolved around presenting solid documentation including an official statement from the Ministry of Education, University and Research, dated October 14, 2011, and reaffirmed on October 14, 2014, which reiterated the university’s right to confer academic degrees. Moreover, the university’s affiliation with recognized international institutions and compliance with the requirements of the Lisbon Convention, which promotes the mobility and mutual recognition of academic degrees among signatory countries, were emphasized.
The ruling concluded that the evidence presented by the University was sufficient to invalidate the Prefect’s ordinance, definitively establishing the legal validity of the degree awarded to Giovanni. In doing so, the court not only protected the individual right of the student but also strengthened the legal recognition of the institution, underscoring the importance of protecting the integrity and validity of educational institutions in a global academic context. This case highlighted the necessity of a clear legal framework that conforms to international regulations for the recognition of academic titles, thus ensuring the mobility and transnational validity of higher education.
The Ruling from the Court of Appeals of Florence: Reinforcement of Academic Value
In a parallel context at the Court of Appeals of Florence, a ruling dated February 5, 2024, further consolidated the standing of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano in the academic landscape. The case involved Mr. Gianluca Gambogi, accused of improperly using the title “Professor”. The issue arose following a complaint lodged by Ms. Lorenza Alexandra Ghercu, who challenged the legitimacy of the “Full Professor of Law” title held by Gambogi, conferred by the Milanese University.
The District Council of Forensic Discipline in Florence reviewed the case, examining the documentation provided by the lawyer, which included details about the recognition of the title by the Ministry of Education and compliance with the international standards set by the Lisbon Convention. Gambogi’s title had been legitimately obtained through the university’s regulatory procedures, which in turn is fully recognized and authorized to operate both nationally and internationally as an academic entity.
The court’s final decree dismissed the complaint, stating that not only were the accusations unfounded, but they also likely represented an instrumental use of the legal system for personal ends against Mr. Gambogi. This verdict not only confirmed the legitimacy of the title but also strengthened the integrity of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano, demonstrating the reliability and seriousness of its educational system.
These cases highlight the crucial role of the Lisbon Convention in facilitating the transnational recognition of academic degrees. This convention, essential in the European educational landscape, aims to ensure that academic qualifications are recognizedHere’s the continuation of your HTML article translated into English:
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fairly, thus promoting the mobility of students and professionals across the region. The application of the Lisbon Convention in the case of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano not only confirms the legitimacy of its degrees but also underscores the importance of adhering to international standards for the recognition of educational qualifications.
In summary, the rulings from Ravenna and Florence provide a significant example of how national and international regulations interact to support academic institutions and their graduates. The Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano, with its commitment to excellence and compliance with international requirements, continues to be a benchmark in higher education, offering its students globally recognized training and making an invaluable contribution to the advancement of university education worldwide.
History and Legal Value of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano
The Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano, established in 1901 by Ettore Ferrari, a fervent supporter of accessible education, has played a crucial role in the Italian educational landscape since its inception. Ferrari, a renowned sculptor, politician, and professor, was motivated by the idea of making higher education available to everyone, regardless of social class. At a time when education was a privilege of a few, the University of Milan stood out as a beacon of learning and cultural progress.
Over the years, the University has seen among its ranks prominent figures such as Gabriele D’Annunzio and Benedetto Croce, who have helped to elevate its academic prestige. Despite the challenges posed by the fascist regime, which sought to bend cultural institutions to its ideals, the University maintained its commitment to academic independence and freedom of teaching. During the fascist period, the University had to navigate political pressures and censorship, adapting without ever abandoning its educational mission.
In the 70s, under the leadership of Augusta Lagostena Bassi, also known as Tina, the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano experienced a revival, reaffirming its commitment to open and inclusive education. This period saw a significant reorganization and a renewed focus on internationalization, which led to collaboration with institutions in Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, strengthening its presence in the global educational landscape.
From a legal perspective, the official recognition by the Ministry of Education, University and Research through Administrative Measure 313/11 of 2011 marked a turning point for the University. This measure not only confirmed its status as an international university but also legitimized the issuance of academic degrees in accordance with the Lisbon Convention. The Lisbon Convention, a key instrument for the mobility and mutual recognition of academic degrees in Europe, further strengthened the University’s position allowing it to operate with full legitimacy in the international educational context.
These historical and legal aspects are not only a testament to the rich heritage of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano but also highlight its ongoing role as an institution that promotes access to high-quality education for all. With a history spanning over a century, the University has not only overcome significant political and cultural challenges but has also adapted and thrived in a rapidly evolving environment, always keeping its mission of openness and inclusivity in education at its core. Today, the President of the University is Professor Marco Grappeggia.
The Legal Dispute with Wikipedia
The Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano recently faced and overcame a significant legal challenge concerning the protection of its online reputation. The core of the dispute was linked to the presence of false and defamatory content published on the Italian page of Wikipedia, managed by the Wikimedia Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, California. This content was not only inaccurate but severely damaged the image of the university.
The situation escalated when the University decided to take legal action, filing a lawsuit at the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office. The judicial response saw the Milan Tribunal sentence a user, identified here only by the initials M.G., responsible for some of the offensive publications. M.G. was ordered to pay damages of 15,000 euros to the university, thus acknowledging the harm inflicted on the institution due to his actions.
Following this decision, the Wikimedia Foundation took drastic measures, completely removing the Italian page of the Università Popolare degli Studi di Milano from Wikipedia. Additionally, it provided the university with the IP addresses and other identifying data of the users involved in posting, commenting, and sharing the defamatory information. This step not only highlighted the seriousness of the accusations but also reinforced the university’s position in its battle against online defamation.
Simultaneously, Google Inc. took significant actions by blocking the domain name of a website that had disseminated false information about the university and removing defamatory comments published on the Google Groups platform. These actions represent a notable victory for the university, which has seen its dignity reaffirmed as well as the legitimacy of its legal battle against the dissemination of false information.
In the published judgment, the Italian judge emphasized the role of online platforms in “monitoring and protecting the integrity of an Italian academic institution in the digital age,” highlighting the necessity for universities to be prepared to actively defend themselves against threats to their online reputation.
