• The conference venue

    A view of the conference venue, the University of Messina’s main building

Conference Venue

The 2nd International SBM–UMI Joint Meeting will take place in the city center of Messina, hosted at the Rectorate of the University of Messina (Piazza Pugliatti, 1). The Rectorate will also host the registration desk that will be open for the whole conference. Internet connection is accessible on campus via Eduroam.

The Rectorate is conveniently located in the heart of the city and can be easily reached by public transport. The nearest train station, Messina Centrale, is about a 15-minute walk from the venue. Several city buses stop near Piazza Pugliatti; for details on schedules and routes, please check Google Maps.

The University of Messina

The University of Messina has ancient roots: an early Studium Generale was active in the 13th century, and the modern institution was officially founded in 1548 by Ignatius of Loyola as the first Jesuit college in the world. From its very beginning, the University has been a center of intellectual life in Sicily, attracting scholars and students from across the Mediterranean.

Over the centuries, the University experienced periods of decline and rebirth, especially after the 1908 earthquake, which destroyed much of the city and required the reconstruction of both academic facilities and cultural life. Despite these challenges, it soon regained its role as a hub of higher education and research.

Today the University of Messina counts more than 25000 students and is organized into 12 departments, covering a wide range of disciplines from humanities to sciences. Teaching and research activities are distributed across four main campuses, while the historic Rectorate building in Piazza Pugliatti remains the symbolic heart of the institution.

The University has produced many prominent alumni, including jurists, scientists, and writers who contributed to Italian and European culture. It also maintains strong international relations, with numerous exchange programs and collaborations that connect Messina to universities all over the world.

With its unique location overlooking the Strait of Messina, the University combines centuries of history with a dynamic modern outlook, offering an inspiring environment for study, research, and cultural exchange.