An acclaimed University based in the city of Milan, VitaSalute San Raffaele University (UniSR) is one of the topranking universities in Italy for education and research. Affiliated with the nearby San Raffaele Hospital (OSR), UniSR offers undergraduate degrees in Philosophy, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Dental Hygiene, and Psychological sciences and techniques, as well as Masters courses in Dentistry and Dental Implantology, Molecular and Cellular Medical Biotechnology, Medicine and Surgery, and Psychology.
Together with its affiliated hospital, the IRCCS San Raffaele, a leading Italian Research Hospital part of Italy’s largest hospital group, San Donato, UniSR guarantees a unique learning environment. VitaSalute San Raffaele University and the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital are the only Italian members of the European University Hospital Alliance (EUHA), which brings together nine top universities and research hospitals in Europe. This collaboration between the two institutions is recognized for guaranteed mutual enrichment and producing internationally recognized research.
Fostering Innovation through Range of Courses
The main mission of UniSR is to consolidate and develop this new vocation. Innovation through knowledge goes hand in hand with the original mission of the university which is to answer the question QUID EST HOMO? whereas the centre of inspiration remains the essential dimensions of human beings - mind, body and soul. Thus, the core of its mission therefore finds its development in establishment of its three faculties - Medicine, Psychology and Philosophy. Each Faculty develops and analyzes the three essential dimensions of the human being and comprises an educational offer which spans from undergraduate to graduate degrees in addition to professional degree courses, Specialization schools, Masters and Ph.Ds. While the undergraduate degree program is mainly in Italian, UniSR also has three English taught programs which especially attract International students.
“My advice to students interested in pursuing their higher education in italy would be to have no fear. Our country has an exceptional higher education tradition and offering and attention to international student services within the universities are nowadays an important aspect and demonstration of a university’s services quality.”
The International Medical Doctor Program, inaugurated in 2010 as one of the first international medical programs offered in English in Italy, is specifically designed for training international physicians to provide core ‘global’ competencies necessary for the safe, effective and ethical practice of medicine around the world. This is a six-year MD program which has more than half of the places reserved to Non - European Citizens. Students are admitted directly after high school and selection is based on an entrance examination which takes place once a year. While clinical rotations and practical activities are carried out in the renowned San Raffaele Hospital, part of the clinical activities envisaged in the program can also be organized abroad especially during the last terms of the program as specific training for the students’ final graduation thesis.
The graduates from the International MD Program are awarded an M.D - Doctor of Medicine – degree recognized by the European Union, the World Health Organization, the British General Medical Council and by the US Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG®).
M.Sc. in Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication is a two year graduate program that offers training in Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience and Communication, jointly offered by the Institute of Communication and Health of Universitàdella Svizzeraitaliana (USI) and the Faculty of Psychology of VitaSalute San Raffaele University. The program is designed to train students to understand the causes of healthrelated behaviour while enabling them to design new and effective interventions to prevent disease and promote health focusing on the intersection between the theoretical bases of cognitive psychology and those of communication applied to the health context.
“Vita-salute san raffaele university and the irccs san raffaele hospital are the only italian members of the european university hospital alliance (euha), which brings together nine top universities and research hospitals in Europe”
M.Sc. in Biotechnology and Medical Biology program by UniSR is a two-year graduate program entirely taught in English which bridges theoretical knowledge with hands-on training in biological research. Students of this program are exposed to intensive training in the research laboratories and complete research projects as their final Thesis for graduation. The teaching methodology also encourages students to take active responsibility for their training with ‘Student-centered’ and ‘Self-directed’ learning being the keywords for this approach. Students who have completed a Bachelor degree in Biotechnology or Biological Sciences are welcome to participate to selection which is carried out through an obligatory admission test and through the evaluation of titles.
Emphasizing on Student-centric Decisions
Students are at the centre of UniSR’s strategies and the education offered at the institute is developed all around their needs. The context in which the institute operates is also very much linked to the multidisciplinary, international and biomedical research community which is integrated with the San Raffaele Research Institute. The education offered favours student growth by developing personalized curriculum built through interaction with the latest issues and questions arising in the research arena. Particular attention is given to interaction between theoretical studies and practical activities starting from the early years. This helps students reach graduation by becoming independent in their competencies and favouring job opportunities and access to specialization schools in which graduates from UniSR have proved to be those with the best preparation (1° position in the ranking of the Asso¬ciazioneLiberiSpecializzandi-Specialization Association).
Only a select and limited number of students are being admitted each year to the University degree programs, in most cases following an entrance test based on analytical and logical skills. With smaller classes as compared to the majority of medical schools, UniSR vests its major focus on increasing the student-teacher interaction and productivity. As a result, students from diverse backgrounds, from all over the world, easily become part of the multicultural environment of San Raffaele and protagonists of their future and of the community’s future.
Nicole Petra Papa, Head – International Relations, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University shares, “The relationships we build with international students at UniSR are long-lasting and some develop into real friendships. The ratio between teaching staff and students is one we pride ourselves of as it allows almost a close connection and relationship. The University is very much aware of the difficulties that foreign students face in moving to a new country starting from the language barrier that can lead to a closure to students of other nationalities. Hence, we have also implemented a 'Buddy Matching' service so that every incoming student can have a fellow student which will help them settle in.”
At UniSR, promotion of inclusion is translated into recognition of the importance of giving extra support to the student who is moving to a new country. The City of Milan is also deeply involved in helping universities and International students in this process by presenting a series of events and activities especially dedicated to foreign students. Simplification of bureaucracies linked to immigration, a dedicated virtual - physical hub for International students helps them with all issues they might face living in a foreign city.
Innovation through knowledge is the essential aim that UniSR has given itself for present and its near future, with a strategic plan that focuses on students and their satisfaction, on digital transformation, and on internationalization. As an advice to international students, Nicole Petra Papa says, “My advice to students interested in pursuing their higher education in Italy would be to have no fear. Our Country has an exceptional higher education tradition and offering and attention to International student services within the universities are nowadays an important aspect and demonstration of a University’s services quality. In Università VitaSalute San Raffaele we offer none the less. Indian Students here in VitaSalute San Raffaele will find a cosy yet extremely open-minded community. They are at the center of our attention and are supported in all possible ways and have the opportunity to benefit from an extremely unique environment.”
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