The Rector of the University of Perugia, Prof. Massimiliano Marianelli, participated on Sunday, November 30, in the roundtable “The University of the Future,” organized as part of FIL Pensamiento 2025, the prestigious Guadalajara International Book Fair, unanimously regarded as the most important in Latin America.
The event, which saw the participation of rectors from some of the leading Spanish and Mexican universities (National Autonomous University of Mexico, University of Guadalajara, University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Pompeu Fabra University, University of Cantabria), represented an important opportunity to reflect on the role of universities in the complex contemporary global scenario.
In his speech, Rector Marianelli emphasized how the University of Perugia, founded in 1308, has experienced for seven centuries “a creative tension: remaining rooted in tradition while simultaneously opening new paths,” highlighting the importance of the university’s four missions, with particular emphasis on the “Fourth Mission” as a responsibility to safeguard the quality of relationships that make communal life possible.
“The university is a generative place,” added Rector Marianelli. “It generates knowledge, relationships, humanity. For this reason, a decisive part of our future depends on it.”
The visit to Guadalajara, followed by a private meeting with the Rector of the local university and subsequently with all the guest rectors, significantly consolidates and expands the existing collaborations between Unipg and Mexican and Spanish universities, opening new perspectives to extend agreements to new areas, as well as promoting the expansion of the university’s international institutional networks.
To this end, Rector Marianelli was accompanied by Prof. Daniele Parbuono, Delegate for Student Community, Peace Policies, Institutional Networks, Organization, and Coordination of the Rector’s Staff.
Particularly noteworthy is the announcement that Italy will be the guest of honor country at the next edition of the Guadalajara International Book Fair and that the University of Perugia may be among the few Italian universities selected to represent the national university system in this important international cultural showcase.
