THE University of Gastronomic Sciences was founded in 2004 by Slow Food in co-operation with the Italian regions of Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna. It has campuses at Pollenzo and Colorno.
Its goal is to create an international research and education centre for those working on renewing farming methods, protecting biodiversity, and building an organic relationship between gastronomy and agricultural science. It seeks to educate a new professional figure which the university describes as a ‘gastronome’ – skilled in production, distribution, promotion, and communication of high-quality foods. These are the next generation of educators and innovators, editors and multimedia broadcasters, marketers of fine products, and managers of consortia, businesses, and tourism companies.
Students from around the world gain dynamic experiences in artisan and industrial food production, thanks to complementary education in both science and humanities, sensory training, and hands-on learning during study trips (field seminars) across five continents. More than 600 students have studied or are studying at the university.
International website