Yes, in May 2019 I was elected as a student representative in the National Council of University Students (CNSU), thanks to many students who decided to put their trust in me.
But now, more than a year later: how does the CNSU work? What has been done during this period?
The CNSU is an advisory body of the Ministry of University and Research, therefore in close contact with the Ministry (where it meets, in the Trastevere district of Rome) and with political circles. In fact, I happened to be received in government offices, in the Senate of the Republic and in the Chamber of Deputies, where I also had the honor of intervening in the press room.
The Board is composed of 30 members and has met 3 times so far, which have been followed by 3 telematic sessions:
- the first meeting saw the election of the President, while in the second and third motions were discussed and approved, or texts addressed to the Minister or other institutional interlocutors that are proposed by a councilor or council group in the body, read and modified by the interested parties in committee or in plenary and then approved or rejected by a majority.
- In the third meeting the bodies with indirect election were also voted: ANVUR (National Agency for the Evaluation of the University and Research System), ANDISU (National Association of Bodies for the Right to University Study) and CUN (National University Council), where I was elected.
- In the telematic sessions, on the other hand, issues related to the Coronavirus emergency and the implementation of innovative solutions in the university system were discussed, to live with the situation we are experiencing.
You can find here the detailed account of all the issues we have carried out and of what has been done in Rome.
In this period in the Council we have brought the theme of double enrolment and the related Minor Degree, a theme that I consider among the most important. We also requested a comparison on the medical service for off-site students with the Ministry.We met several times with the Minister and his delegates, who have always been willing to dialogue and listen. We have managed, during this period of emergency, to collaborate in the approval of Extraordinary Measures for the Right to Study with considerable funding, which we have already talked about here,coming from this year and on passing the State Exams.
Finally, we tried to raise public awareness with the launch of the petition "Save the Future of Italy", together with other realities, which collected 12,000 signatures and involved me in meeting various representatives of the Government.
We have also reported the critical issues that have been reported to us in these months of health emergency.
We have also supported, with the CNSU,the fundraising in favor of the Italian Red Cross.
One last fact: since our election took place, 3 Ministers have alternated (Dr. Bussetti, Hon. Fioramonti and now Prof. Manfredi) an element that certainly shows how this is a complicated role and that risks having to face friction during their mandate.
A new trend and a renewed interest in the theme of university education and research must be recorded, the hope is that Prof. Manfredi, strong of his experience as Rector of the Federico II University until this year and his role as outgoing President of the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities (CRUI), can be incisive for the world of Italian University and Research.
By December the parliament will approve the budget law and I imagine there will be various news, so I invite you to follow our page to stay updated with the latest news.
For every question I am available, good continuation of semester!
Carlo – carlo.giovani@unilabsvoltastudenti.it
National Council of University Students (CNSU)
National University Council (CUN)
