Degree to prepare primary education teachers. Distance education course: academic year 2002/2003 official opening at the Credito Valtellinese Training Center in Tresivio

The academic year 2002/2003 was officially opened with a meeting, attended also by the Università Cattolica Chancellor, professor Lorenzo Ornaghi, which was held on Friday, December 6, at the Credito Valtellinese Training Center in Tresivio. About forty students coming from different areas around the province of Sondrio, have joined the initiative launched by Milan 'Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore' with the cooperation of the Credito Valtellinese Group Foundation. Foundation Chairman Francesco Guicciardi has opened the ceremony by saying thanks to Mr Ornaghi for attending the meeting. Then, he has welcomed the other participants, among whom Bishop of Como Mgr Alessandro Maggiolini, major authorities of the provincial government, representatives of the university and the students who will be in the course.

Giovanna Barzanò, a member of the Regional Education Service Agency, has expressed her and General Manager Mario G. Dutto's appreciation for the fine initiative. Implemented through the new technologies, this course is offering a great opportunity to the students in Valtellina. The president of the Provincial Education Department, Mr Nicola Montrone, has then spoken about more initiatives which are being implemented for distance training and innovation.

The Credito Valtellinese Foundation, said Chairman Francesco Guicciardi, has been working together with the Education Authorities to implement distance learning in Valtellina, as the latest regulations for school provide for primary teachers having a university degree. This means that, without a distance education course, there would be a considerable lack of teachers in the local primary education system.

Professor Lorenzo Ornaghi opened his speech by saying that Università Cattolica and Credito Valtellinese have already been working together in the province of Sondrio in the past and that, to date, many students from Valtellina have graduated from the university of Piazza Gemelli in Milan. He also said that a considerable step forward has been made with this course to increase the competitiveness of Università Cattolica, which must evolve to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow also at an international level. We are not avoiding such an important task, he said, that's the reason why we are trying to establish a closer relationship with the different areas in Lombardy.

Before giving a blessing to the Center, Bishop Maggiolini mentioned his years of service at the University of Largo Gemelli. Mgr Maggiolini also said his satisfaction with the great opportunity which is being offered to the community thanks to the launch of distance learning in Valtellina.