The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI, Italian: Scuola universitaria professionale della Svizzera italiana) is a publicvocational university located in Ticino, Switzerland. It offers over 30 bachelor's and master's programs, blending theoretical scientific knowledge with practical technological applications in real-world projects. Instruction is mainly in Italian, with some courses delivered in English and German.
History
SUPSI was established on 11 March 1997 by Canton Ticino and it received federal recognition in 2003. The new institution integrates preexisting specialized schools and public and private research institutes which date back to 1852 with the Cantonal High School initiated by Carlo Cattaneo and providing higher education courses in mechanics and architecture.[5]
In 1997 SUPSI integrates within its new organization:
STS Electronic Engineering Section (established in Manno in 1993)
SSQEA College for Financial and Administrative Managers (established by Canton Ticino in 1987 as a third cycle following the commercial schools)
SSAA College of Applied Arts (established by Canton Ticino in Lugano in 1985 as a third cycle of the CSIA Educational Centre for Artistic Industry)
ICIMSI Institute of Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Southern Switzerland (established in Manno in 1992 as a private-public initiative to develop applied research in support of industry)
ICTS the Cantonal Experimental Technical Institution
In the following years other specialized schools and public and private research institutes were integrated:
1998 College of Social Work (established by Canton Ticino) becomes a department.
1999 IDSIA Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research (established in Lugano in 1988); it is jointly run by Università della Svizzera italiana and SUPSI thanks to an agreement between the two institutions.
2004 Fernfachhochshule Schweiz (FFHS) based in Brig and with training centers in Basel, Bern and Zurich.
2006 Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana - Scuola Universitaria di Musica (Conservatory of Southern Switzerland/Ticino Music Conservatory)[6]
2006 Accademia Teatro Dimitri (established in 1975 by the Swiss clown Dimitri as a school of movement theatre).[7]
2007 Phsyiotherapie Graubünden (based in Landquart); Bachelor in Physiotherapy affiliated to the Department of Health Sciences.
2011 MAInD; Master of Arts in Interaction Design.[8][9]
Organization and administration
As a Swiss University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule, Haute école specialisée, scuola universitaria professionale), SUPSI is an autonomous organization, and it has a university status with a focus on professional training and applied research.
Its four institutional mandates are first and second level university education (bachelor's degree and master's degree), continuing education, applied research and consulting and support services to businesses and institutions.
The governance of SUPSI is based on:
SUPSI Council is composed of members nominated by the State Council of Canton Ticino and it has a mandate of strategic direction and control.
SUPSI Board
University administration includes the director, the head of shared services and the directors and deans of the departments and the associated schools.
Departments and associated schools
Consultative commissions. Each department and associated school has a Consultative Commission appointed by the SUPSI Board.
From a financial point of view, SUPSI is supported by Ticino cantonal contributions, contributions from the Swiss Confederation and is self-financing. The support of Canton Ticino is regulated by a performance contract based on the number of students enrolled and on the volume of projects acquired.
Departments and associated schools
SUPSI is organized in departments and associated schools. The associated schools are managed by private institutions, and they are integrated within SUPSI general administration. Departments include institutes, laboratories, and centres of expertise; they are organized in academic disciplines.
Due to the progressive integration of preexisting specialized schools and public and private research institutes, the structure of the departments changes through time[10]
Department for Environment, Constructions and Design
The focus of the Department of Innovative Technologies is applied engineering sciences in the industrial sector, technological and IT services for both educational and research purposes.
Within the department there are:
Institute CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) for Sustainable Innovation.[11]
AI Lab IDSIA Institute Dalle Molle for Artificial Intelligence.[12]
Institute for Information Systems and Networking
Institute for Systems and Applied Electronics
Institute of Systems and Technologies for Sustainable Production
Department of Teaching and Learning
The department works in education, research and services.
The first SUPSI diplomas are awarded in 2000 in architecture, civil engineering, computer science, electronic engineering, interior design, visual communication, conservation and restoration, business administration and social work. In 2001 the Canton Ticino Chamber of Commerce for Industry and Craftsmanship, the Association of Ticino Industries, the Ticino Banking Association and by Ticino Section Swiss Construction Companies establish the Ticino Economy Prize (Premio dell'Economia Ticinese) for the best SUPSI graduates; in 2011 the Prize Talenthesis is established.[13]
^From the initial structure established in 1997, and the creation of a new department of Social Work in 1998, the departments were restructured in 2003 (departments of Environment, Construction and Design, Business and Social Sciences, Innovative Technologies), and they integrate previous inducements research institutes.
^The website of the Institute CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) for Sustainable Innovationhttp://www.icimsi.ch/pages/icimsi_en/iCIMSI.jsp.
^The website of the Institute Dalle Molle for Artificial Intelligence http://www.idsia.ch.
^Developed within a collaboration among Edinburgh College of Art ECA, Istanbul Technical University ITU, Polytechnic Lahti POLY LAHTI, University of Applied Sciences Stuttgart UASS, Scuola Universitaria Professionale della Svizzera Italiana SUPSI http://www.supsi.ch/lcv/formazione/master/interior-design.htm.
^the MAIND Program in Interaction Design merges knowledge coming from the design disciplines in a unique profile able to set new thinking in design, in the technological innovation and in the human needs. http://www.maind.supsi.ch/.
