Publishing date: 26 June 2026 Immagine notizia Immagine Paragrafo This morning, the University of Insubria, Confesercenti Lombardia – Varese Territorial Branch, and Confesercenti Como signed an “Agreement for Territorial Initiatives in Support of the University Community”, with the aim of strengthening the connection between academia, the local business community, and the territory.The initiative stems from the shared commitment to provide more services and opportunities for the University of Insubria community while also enhancing the role of local businesses as a key component of urban life. In particular, with the relocation of the Master’s Degree in Law to its new premises at the Palazzo delle Corporazioni of the Varese Chamber of Commerce in the city centre from next September, the need emerged to develop a network of services and opportunities capable of supporting the growing student presence in the area. The goal is to foster a richer university experience within the city and make Varese increasingly welcoming and attractive to students.Under the agreement, participating businesses will be able to offer discounts, dedicated services, and targeted initiatives to members of the University of Insubria community, promoting closer integration between the University and the local economic system.The network will gradually expand to include businesses operating in a variety of sectors, including hospitality and food services, retail, personal services, sport, culture, and leisure across the provinces of Varese and Como, helping to make the area increasingly attractive, welcoming, and responsive to the needs of those who study and work at the University.The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Maria Pierro, Rector of the University of Insubria, and Director General Antonio Romeo; Bernardo Bianchessi, President of Confesercenti Lombardia – Varese Territorial Branch; Rosita De Fino, Director of Confesercenti Lombardia – Varese Territorial Branch; Claudio Casartelli, President of Confesercenti Como; and representatives of local business associations. Immagine “The University of Insubria is deeply rooted in its territory, and the quality of the university experience also depends on our ability to build strong relationships with the communities that welcome our students,” said Rector Maria Pierro. “This agreement represents a concrete step in that direction: it promotes integration between the University, businesses, and local communities, while helping to make Varese and Como increasingly attractive and welcoming. I would like to thank Confesercenti for sharing this journey with us, creating value for both the academic community and the local economy.”“Universities are a driving force for local development, and this agreement provides a concrete means of strengthening ties with the cities and the local economic system,” added Director General Antonio Romeo. “We aim to offer students services and opportunities that enhance their university experience and, with the support of local businesses, make the cities hosting our University campuses increasingly welcoming and widely recognised as genuine university cities.”“With this agreement, we aim to foster an ever closer relationship between the business world and the university sector,” said Bernardo Bianchessi, Presidente of Confesercenti Lombardia, sede territoriale di Varese “The presence of the University is a major asset for the economic, social, and cultural vitality of our cities. As a business association, we considered it essential to promote an initiative capable of generating tangible benefits both for the academic community and for local businesses, creating new opportunities for interaction, growth, and development.”“This initiative forms part of a broader urban revitalisation strategy, which recognises university students as a key driver of urban vitality,” said Rosita De Fino, Director territoriale di Confesercenti Lombardia, sede territoriale di Varese. “The relocation of the Law degree programme to the centre of Varese will increase the daily use of urban spaces, supporting neighbourhood businesses and local services. Encouraging students to settle and remain in the area generates new economic, social, and cultural opportunities for the territory. Collaboration between the University and the business community strengthens the city’s attractiveness, making it more dynamic, inclusive, and liveable. In this way, the city centre is confirmed as a place of encounter, growth, and participation for the entire community.”“This agreement also represents an important opportunity for the Como area,” added Claudio Casartelli, Presidente of Confesercenti Provinciale Como . “Bringing together businesses, services, and the academic community strengthens the relationship between the University and the territory, while creating new opportunities for the local economy.”In the coming months, the procedures for business participation and for accessing the benefits offered under the agreement will be defined and communicated to members of the university community.The three-year agreement represents the first step in a project that is intended to expand progressively, with the aim of building an increasingly widespread network of services, benefits, and opportunities for the benefit of both the academic community and local businesses, confirming the strategic role of cooperation between institutions, business associations, and universities in supporting local development. In the photos:Signing, from left: Claudio Casartelli, Maria Pierro and Bernardo BianchessiGroup photo, from left: Stefania Cipolat, Antonio Romeo, Claudio Casartelli, Maria Pierro, Bernardo Bernasconi and Rosita De Fino