Bocconi Opens Its 125th Academic Year: Turning Destiny into Possibility Through Education

This Must Be the Place
There are places that welcome. And places that transform. Bocconi is both: a space where talent, knowledge, and trust come together to create opportunities that grow over time. During the 2026 Donor Event, we celebrated a community that chooses to look to the future, supporting students, research, and ideas capable of making an impact far beyond the University’s borders. From Ferdinando Bocconi’s vision to the stories of those who benefit from this support today, every image tells a story of faith in the future. Because giving isn’t just about contributing to a project: it means believing in people’s potential and helping to build a shared tomorrow. A future that doesn’t emerge on its own, but takes shape thanks to a community that continues to open paths, create possibilities, and leave a lasting mark.

2026-2027 Academic Year Opening Ceremony

At the Opening Ceremony of the 2026–2027 Academic Year, the University placed social mobility at the core of its strategy. More than €350 million will be allocated to student support over the 2026–2030 period, while more than 1,900 students study free of charge thanks to full tuition waivers. Billari: “Talent is everywhere, opportunities are not.”

The ceremony, opened by President Andrea Sironi, brought together all parts of the Bocconi community in the Aula Magna. Giulia Gambardella, a representative on the University Board, spoke on behalf of the student body. Her remarks were followed by an address by Riccardo Taranto, Managing Director, who will complete his term in November, and Rector Francesco Billari’s address. Gita Gopinath, Gregory and Ania Coffey Professor of Economics at Harvard University, concluded the morning with a keynote lecture entitled, The Future of the Global Economy and Your Role in It.