THE UNIVERSITY BOARD AWARDED HIM A SECOND TERM IN OFFICE ON THE SAME DAY AS THE UNIVERSITY CAME IN EIGHTH WORLDWIDE IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES RANKING ON MASTER OF SCIENCE IN FINANCE PROGRAMS

Today the University Board, following the proposal by President Mario Monti and Vice President Luigi Guatri, unanimously confirmed Andrea Sironi as Rector for another two years, from 1 November, 2014 – 31 October, 2016. Also today, the University received some very prestigious international recognition, with its Master of Science in Finance program placing 8th place in the world rankings published this morning by the Financial Times.

"The increased international exposure among students and the international reputation of the University represent one of three strategic lines on which Sironi’s efforts have focused during the two years of his first term. The other two main thrusts involve support for social mobility and innovation in teaching, " commented Prof. Monti. “In addition to strengthening his focus on these three points, the Rector will will devote renewed attention to the development of the international faculty during this second term. He will also oversee the launch of new study programs and other initiatives starting from the 2015-16 academic year. Speaking for the Board and for myself personally,  I am happy for Andrea Sironi, both for the important accomplishments he has already made and for his acceptance of a second term”.

The excellent results in placement and employability of graduates in the international labor market are the main reasons that led to the Master of Science in Finance climbing 12 positions in the 2014 Global Masters in Finance ranking. It landed at 8th place, alongside the programs of prestigious business schools such as Boston’s MIT.

The process of internationalization at Bocconi has deep roots: the first agreements with New York University and ESSEC in Paris date back 40 years. Today Bocconi has 230 partner schools, a campus in Mumbai and 25 Double and Triple Degree programs. 14% of the student body are non-Italians and 23% of graduates are working outside Italy a year after getting their degree. The faculty is recruited on the international job market and the alumni network is has chapters in 54 countries. "In the last two years," says Sironi, "we have worked chiefly in two directions. Firstly, we are committed to growing our presence in the international rankings, and today's result is proof that we are headed in the right direction. Secondly, we have aimed to create opportunities for continuous learning and networking for our alumni directly in their countries of residence, which we have done with events such as the two Bocconi Alumni Conferences in Singapore and New York."

As for social mobility, during his first term Sironi launched the Una scelta possibile initiative, which provides full support to students in conditions of severe economic and social difficulties who choose to enroll at Bocconi. In 2013, moreover, the MIlan-based school has invested almost € 25 million in scholarships and financial aid (+11% compared to 2012), enabling it to provide aid to about 2,000 students, or 14% of enrollments. 

Among the accomplishments in terms of educational innovation is BETA,Bocconi Education & Teaching Alliance, the center created to discuss and plan the future of learning, and to support the needs and ideas of the Bocconi faculty. Among its first projects are new reconfigurable classrooms and MOOCs (Massive open online courses: the first opened two weeks ago and already has 16,000 subscribers).

Andrea Sironi, 50, is Full Professor of Finance at Università Bocconi, where he held the position of Vice-Rector for International Affairs until November 2008. Previously, he was Dean of the Graduate School, Director of SDA Bocconi’s Claudio Dematté Research Divisionand Program Director of the Master in Risk Management .