The University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI, ) is a public vocational 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.Those courses will stop in 1956, with the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic of Zurich.
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 the Cantonal Office of Geology and Hydrology which becomes the Institute of Earth Science (IST). In 1997 SUPSI is divided into four departments: Construction and Territory, Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, Applied Art and Business Administration.
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)The website of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana http://www.conservatorio.ch. 2006 Accademia Teatro Dimitri (established in 1975 by the Swiss clown Dimitri as a school of movement theatre).The website of the Accademia Teatro Dimitri http://www.teatrodimitri.ch. 2007 Phsyiotherapie Graubünden (based in Landquart); Bachelor in Physiotherapy affiliated to the Department of Health Sciences. 2011 MAInD; Master of Arts in Interaction Design.the MAIND Program website http://www.maind.supsi.ch/.
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 timeFrom 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.
Department for Environment, Constructions and Design
Institute for Materials and Constructions Institute of Earth Sciences Institute for Applied Sustainability to the Built Environment Institute of Design Laboratory of Applied Microbiology
Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care The departments works in basic training, continuing education, research and services. Inno3 Competence Centre Tax Law Competence Centre Laboratory of methodology and statistics Medical Humanities Centre
Department of Innovative Technologies 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.The website of the Institute CIM (Computer Integrated Manufacturing) for Sustainable Innovationhttp://www.icimsi.ch/pages/icimsi_en/iCIMSI.jsp. AI Lab IDSIA Institute Dalle Molle for Artificial Intelligence.The website of the Institute Dalle Molle for Artificial Intelligence http://www.idsia.ch. 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.
Associated schools Accademia Teatro Dimitri Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana Fernfachhochschule Schweiz
Campus SUPSI is located in southern Switzerland, in cantons Ticino, Valais and Graubünden.
Location Centres Facilities Note Mendrisio Department of Environment Constructions and Design Manno Supsi Directorship, Department of Business, Health and Social Care Day nursery Locarno Department of Teaching and Learning Day nursery Lugano Department of Innovative Technologies and Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana Day nursery Verscio Accademia Teatro Dimitri Brig Fernfachhochschule Schweiz Landquart Physiotherapie Graubünden
Academics 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.Premio Talenthesis http://www.supsi.ch/home/bachelor-master/talenthesis.html.
Undergraduate programme (Bachelor's degree) Field Bachelor Location Centre Language Architecture, Construction and Planning Architecture Mendrisio Department for Environment Constructions and Design Italian Architecture, Construction and Planning Civil engineering Mendrisio Department for Environment Constructions and Design Italian Design Conservation Mendrisio Department for Environment Constructions and Design Italian Design Interior design Mendrisio Department for Environment Constructions and Design/Laboratory of Visual Culture Italian Design Visual communication Mendrisio Department for Environment Constructions and Design/Laboratory of Visual Culture Italian Business Management and Services Business administration Manno Department of Business and Social Sciences Italian Teacher Training Pre-primary school teacher training Locarno Department of Formation and Learning Italian Teacher Training Primary school teacher training Locarno Department of Formation and Learning Italian Social Work Social Work Manno Department of Business and Social Sciences Italian Music, Theatre and Art Music Lugano Conservatorio della Svizzera italian Italian Music, Theatre and Art Music and movement Lugano Department for Environment Constructions and Design Italian Music, Theatre and Art Theater Verscio Scuola Teatro Dimitri Italian Health Occupational therapy Manno Department of Health Sciences Italian Health Physiotherapy Manno Department of Health Sciences Italian Health Nursing Manno Department of Health Sciences Italian Health Physiotherapy (Landquart) Landquart Department of Health Sciences German Engineering and IT Computer science Lugano Department of Innovative Technologies Italian Engineering and IT Electrical engineering Lugano Department of Innovative Technologies Italian Engineering and IT Engineering and management Lugano Department of Innovative Technologies Italian Engineering and IT Mechanical engineering Lugano Department of Innovative Technologies Italian
Graduate programme (Master's degree)