The University Centre of Excellence “Mountain University” is an innovative training and research centre of the University of Milan, specialised in the study and analysis of issues regarding mountain areas, born thanks to the collaboration between local governance bodies and entities and the University of Milan and consolidated on the basis of a framework agreement between the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) and Milan University.
UNIMONT, thanks to the provision of courses aimed at producing experts with specific competences on mountain issues and a considerable amount of research activity, intends to promote the protection and sustainable development of mountain areas concentrating in particular on the conservation of socio-cultural and biological diversity, the production of high-quality local products, the prevention of hydrogeological instability, the safeguarding of water resources and the preservation of landscapes attractiveness for the development of sustainable tourism.
The Mountain University is located in the heart of the Alps, in Edolo, in the Vallecamonica, Brescia province, Italy and was born thanks to the collaboration between local entities and the University of Milan. The bachelor degree course in “Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain areas” established 1996 and over time has gained the consensus and collaboration of the most important organizations and institutions competent in mountain issues. In 2006, based on the need to conduct applied research focusing on mountain specific challenges, the “Center of Applied Studies for the Sustainable Management and Protection of Mountain Areas (GeSDiMont)” was established.
UNIMONT aims to experiment and promote methodological and operational innovation specifically suitable for the distinctive features, complexity and requirements of mountain areas, through the activation of a highly qualified and diversified training provision together with valuable research activities. For this reason, UNIMONT is made up of two entities that operate in a complementary way for the development of mountain areas: the three-year degree course in “Conservation and Sustainable Development of Mountain areas” and the Ge.S.Di.Mont. Research Center.