The Third University Mission in Italy: Potentialities and Criticalities
Carlo Carboni, Francesco Orazi

Abstract
The focus of the article is the ‘Third University Mission’ in Italy; ‘Third’ because it comes after teaching and research. The expression means, in fact, the active role that the university has in the development of its area of influence through the socio-economic contribution of its activities. The article sets out the main features of the Third Mission that make university an intermediary between knowledge, work, business and local communities. Potentialities, criticalities, excellences and setbacks are underlined in the Italian context in comparison with the international scene, the goal being to answer several open questions. Is there one best way for institutional commitment to the Third Mission? Is there a shared model for the Third Mission in Italy and Europe? Is there funding and dedicated and adequate implementation policies? Does the dominance of technological and scientific aspects of the Third Mission risk widening the gap between sciences and humanities?

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