Economics elite to broaden view

A subtle but potentially radical revolution is under way at the Bocconi University in Milan. Rector Roberto Ruozi wants to transform the Bocconi's traditionally brilliant but coldly single-minded economists into "Renaissance economists", as sensitive to the arts, music and sports as to monetary theories and statistics.

Founded in 1902 by a wealthy Milan businessman, the Bocconi is a private university with some state support. Until recently, it only offered degree courses in economics and its 12,500 students are rigidly selected by entrance exam.

Bocconi graduates, known as Bocconiani, are something of an elite corps that plays a leading role in Italian business, finance and public administration.

In Italy, a Bocconiano is eagerly sought after by both the private sector and by key public institutions like the Bank of Italy. Most are snapped up by corporate talent-scouts before graduating.

The Bocconiani work in an atmosphere of learned austerity closer to a seminary than to a contemporary university. One result of this rigorous tradition is that 92 per cent of Bocconi students graduate, compared to less than 40 per cent in the state universities.

Until the end of the economic boom of the 1980s the Bocconiani tended to be highly ambitious and single-minded - the future captains of industry and finance. For a while the Bocconi was the university of choice for would-be yuppies. Today, scruffy jeans, pierced lips and noses and even dread-locks outnumber the dark suits. Times have changed, and so has the Bocconi.

During the early 1990s, under the rectorship of Mario Monti, currently EU commissioner for competition, efforts were made to introduce elements of ethics and public service into the coldly and intensely technical curriculum of economic sciences.

Now, under Professor Ruozi, there are further moves to broaden horizons.

"We realised there was a risk of our students developing with blinkers, too focused on economics and losing sight of other aspects of life," he said. "What we want to do is train the person first and then the economist."

Professor Ruozi has both broadened the spectrum of the degree courses and introduced a number of activities to culturally enrich the students.

He said: "We now have a degree course in law with a strong economic slant, but nevertheless a real law degree that can be used for a career as a lawyer or judge. Then there is another new degree in economics applied to the management of art and culture."

Starting this month, the Bocconi will also include a post-graduate course in international health care management, economics and policy, in conjunction with the London School of Economics, the Stockholm School of Economics and the Karolinska Institute.

But it is the cultural enrichment of the students that appears to be closest to Professor Ruozi's heart. "For the past two years we have had courses and seminars on a variety of subjects, from ethics and politics, to cinema, music and literature. Although these fields of study do not actually count towards a degree, they are an end in themselves. The response from students has been tremendous.

"We have also invited as speakers people who have little or nothing to do with economics: personalities like racing driver Jean Alesi, former American secretary of state Henry Kissinger, ballet dancer Carla Fracci and skier Deborah Compagnoni.

"The idea is that whatever the field, these people will have something to communicate that enriches our students."

Professor Ruozi has not neglected sports, which normally play little or no role in Italian universities. "Last year, among the Milan universities, we won tournaments in football, rugby and men's and women's relay races."

Books Focus, Economics page 26