Education

Interview with the dean of the University of La Sapienza

Rome, May 26 (EFE). - (Camera: Álvaro Padilla) Breaking the "glass ceiling" to access positions of greater responsibility is a titanic task that requires the support of the entire social and economic system of the country, but once "female leadership" begins to settle down "will be unstoppable", the dean of the Italian University of La Sapienza, Antonella Polimeni, assures Efe.FOOTAGE OF LA SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY. SOUNDBITES IN ITALIAN OF THE DEAN OF THE SAPIENZA UNIVERSITY OF ROMA, ANTONELLA POLIMENI.TRANSLATION:"The pandemic regarding our students has hit us hard, but I must say that all universities have reacted with great resilience. As regards universities, they have been better equipped to be able to consent to distance learning in real-time, but certainly, the University is present. It is not only classes but contact and teacher-student, student-student relationships. It is evident that this experience must be used for the future, because some innovative, didactic methods that have been accelerated by the pandemic, can now be used in a complementary way, never substitute, the lesson in presence is irreplaceable "."The data tell us that eating disorders have also increased in the youth population this year and a half, which is another particularly indicative clue, and, at least in Italy, child neuropsychiatry services are full.""The issue of the female presence in the academic career, there is still much to do"."We have only cracked the glass ceiling, but we have still broken it.""The subsidy to help work-family conciliation, the absolute need to undertake actions that facilitate conciliation, support for family life with respect, not only to the care of children but of elderly parents, who are surely in charge women, support initiatives in this regard. The country's (economic and social) system must implement them. The actions (to be taken) in the coming months seem to lead in this direction. Without forgetting another major problem that affects our country which is the decrease in the birth rate and to which it is closely linked to this problem"."We must still work to deconstruct the stereotypes that lead to fewer women graduating from science majors.""Actions must be taken to promote recruitment measures that reward merit, I always focus on a path of equal opportunities, equal capacity, and of course (being) equal in opportunities is created with the actions we have just said". "The issue of breaking the glass ceiling requires determination, capacity, and also courage because it is necessary to create the conditions of availability, but if female leadership, which is more inclusive and prone to teamwork, begins to assert itself, it will be unstoppable."