On Monday, March 31, 2025, the Aula Magna of the University of Parma hosted the inauguration ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic year of the Healthcare Master’s programs. The event, held from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, was attended by distinguished representatives from the academic and healthcare sectors, along with students and professionals in the field.
The ceremony was opened by Associate Professor of Nursing Sciences at the University of Parma, Prof. Antonio Bonacaro, who warmly welcomed the attendees. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary and interprofessional training in the healthcare sector, recalling the significant legacy left by the founders of the Healthcare Master’s programs, Prof. Leopoldo Sarli and Dr. Giovanna Artioli.
Following this, the Rector, Prof. Paolo Martelli, delivered the institutional greetings, highlighting the University of Parma’s role as a center of excellence in healthcare education and reaffirming the university’s commitment to fostering research and innovation in the field.
The central moment of the morning was the Lectio Magistralis titled “Experiencing Health Today Amidst Complexity and Societal Change in Italy”, delivered by Prof. Edoardo Manzoni, General Director at the Palazzolo Institute in Bergamo.
In his lecture, Prof. Manzoni explored the transformation of the concept of health in contemporary society, focusing on the evolution of nursing theory and the new challenges posed by complexity and social change. He emphasized that health is no longer perceived as a static goal but as an ongoing experience, influenced by technological, economic, and cultural factors. His reflection also addressed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of health and the need to rethink the very concept of well-being.
A key aspect of the new educational offerings in the Healthcare Master’s programs is internationalization. Starting from this academic year, training sessions will be introduced in English to better prepare students for an increasingly globalized and competitive healthcare environment. Additionally, internship opportunities abroad will continue to be promoted, offering learning and exchange experiences in centers of excellence.
The inauguration of the Healthcare Master’s programs reaffirmed the University of Parma’s commitment to training highly qualified professionals capable of tackling the new challenges of the healthcare sector with competence, sensitivity, and critical thinking. “Today, our first- and second-level Master’s programs serve as a reference point for a community of over 2,000 alumni from all over Italy, in addition to the approximately 200 new graduates we had the pleasure and honor of celebrating last week in intense and well-attended ceremonies,” noted Prof. Antonio Bonacaro.
The event concluded with best wishes for the new academic year to all students and with the awareness that healthcare education represents a fundamental lever for building a more humane, inclusive, and innovative healthcare system.
To watch the ceremony again, click here.
