Organised by the EUI together with the City Council of Fiesole, the reception brought together new members of the EUI community for an evening of institutional welcomes, guided tours of the Fiesole archaeological area, music, and a toast to the year ahead.
Speaking to the newcomers, EUI Secretary-General Armando Barucco welcomed them to the Institute and highlighted the historical heritage and the connection with the territory the EUI is based: “This landscape bears witness to centuries of cultural exchange, political transformation and changing identities. It is therefore a particularly fitting place for the EUI: just as past generations grappled with the complexities of coexistence, governance and integration, we bring together scholars and students from across Europe and beyond to better understand the equally complex challenges of today's interconnected world.”
Fiesole Mayor Cristina Scaletti also welcomed the new members of the EUI community, highlighting the close relationship between the Institute and the town: “It is a great privilege for me to inaugurate a new academic year at the EUI, and an extraordinary opportunity to renew the pact between this Institute and Fiesole. It is a pact of mutual exchange, friendship, and shared values."
The new academic year brings approximately 225 new registrations across the EUI’s doctoral, master's and fellowship programmes. They include 104 doctoral researchers, 11 Master in Economic Research students, 42 Master in Transnational Governance students, and 68 post-doctoral and senior fellows and 18 Policy Leader Fellows.
In addition, around 60 visiting fellows and 35 visiting students will join the Institute in September, further expanding the community on campus. Together, the new arrivals represent 61 different nationalities. Around 75% hold at least one EU nationality, while approximately one quarter are exclusively non-EU nationals, reflecting the international character of the EUI’s academic community.
For the new arrivals, the beginning of the academic year is also an opportunity to make the most of a unique period of academic and personal exchange. As Ella Burket, 2nd year student of the Master in Transnational Governance put it: “Take this opportunity as what it is: a special fragment of time to read, think, and challenge the way that the world works.”
Dani Carron, PhD researcher at the Department of History underlined the importance of community alongside individual research: “Research can be solitary, but it doesn’t have to be. We have the means to stay connected to each other. You can find a lot of care here, if you need it, and you can play your part in making the EUI a safe, welcoming and equitable place.”
The Welcome Reception in Fiesole offered an opportunity to begin building those connections beyond the classroom, office and library. Following the opening of the archaeological area and information desks, participants could join guided tours of the site before gathering for the institutional welcome speeches.