I.P.E. – Istituto per Ricerche ed Attività Educative (Bari, Naples)

The I.P.E. was founded in Naples in 1979 on the initiative of a group of university lecturers, entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to “helping young students gain access to education, culture and jobs”( art. 1 of its Statute), by distributing scholarships, carrying out research projects and promoting University Colleges. Over the years, the I.P.E. has also organized scientific conferences, masters programmes and courses in higher studies, guidance on university study programmes and career counselling. Records of the cultural events and philosophical and scientific conventions held at the college have also been published. It became a non-profit making association in 1981 on proposals made by the Ministry of Education (D.P.R.374/81 of 1/6/1981) and was acknowledged shortly afterwards by the Ministry as a “legally recognized University College”, being the first such institution in Southern Italy to be included in this list. Currently the I.P.E. administers colleges in Naples, Rome, Bari and Salerno.

Services and facilities

Residential services: single- and three-bedded study rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms; full catering service; bed linen provided and changed weekly; laundry and ironing service, minor repairs; daily room cleaning.

Resources and facilities for study and leisure activities: library and periodical room, study rooms, computer rooms, drafting and lecture rooms; spacious common room with TV and newspaper reading corner; film and CD library; gardens, pleasant green spaces, chapel.

Cultural and formative activities: tutoring, faculty clubs and internal courses; conferences, conventions and meetings with members of the professions, entrepreneurs and university lecturers; courses on study methods; work placements in companies; study holidays and weekends in Italy and abroad at other partner institutions; career counselling; complementary activities: screening of films, trips, sports, excursions; voluntary and social work; international exchanges; foreign study grants.

I.P.E.Iistituto per Ricerche ed Attività Educative

The centres

Residenza Universitaria del Levante – Bari

This is a male university residence situated near the Faculty of Economy and within easy reach of the other faculties. It houses 35 students altogether and recruits 10 new students each year. All rooms are single-bedded. Admission is competitive and 6 of the 10 places are partly funded by study grants. Selection criteria include an assessment of the applicant’s school curriculum and performance at an interview. In co-operation with the Polytechnic of Bari, the College organizes a specialty course in the “Improvement of Business Policy and Management”.

Residenza Universitaria Monterone– Naples

This residence houses 50 male university students. Each year 10 competitive places are awarded, the cost of which is largely covered by study grants. Students are recruited on the basis of their curriculum and on their performance at an interview. Successful applicants are expected to keep up with their exams and achieve an average mark of at least 26/30. The Monterone College has recently launched the following courses: “Advanced finance: quantitive methods and computer applications”; “Professionals without borders” and “Exploring ethics”.

Collegio Universitario Villalta– Naples

This residence plays host to 50 female university students. Each year 10 competitive places are awarded, which are largely covered by study grants. Students are recruited on the basis of their curriculum and on their performance at an interview and are expected to keep up with their exams and achieve an average of at least 26/30. Courses offered at Villalta include: “Leadership: strategies and communication for the female business class” and “ Marketing, preparing for the professional challenges of the future”.