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SDG 4 – Quality education

IULM is proud of its strong attachment to its community and to the opportunities it offers to its students and to the wider community for lifelong learning. The university is committed to a comprehensive set of measures to further enhance the quality education and lifelong learning opportunities it offers in all respects. These include the following lifelong learning measures:



Università IULM guarantees free and open access to educational and cultural resources for those not studying at the university and members of the public, in line with its mission to promote lifelong learning and community engagement.
This principle is embedded in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies the Third Mission as a core pillar dedicated to “disseminating knowledge, fostering civic participation, and making education accessible beyond the student community.”
It is reinforced by the Statute which safeguards citizens’ right to participate in educational and cultural life, by the IULM Code of Ethics - ensuring equality, respect, and non-discrimination - and by the IULM Gender Equality Plan, which promotes inclusive access to learning opportunities.

Free Educational Resources and Open Initiatives (2024)

  1. Library and Digital Resources
    • Library Access: External users may freely access and borrow materials (up to three volumes) and take part in open literary events and exhibitions.
    • Apeiron Repository: Open-access database hosting theses and research outputs since 2000.
  1. IULM Flow Talks – a public series of webinars featuring international experts, aimed at promoting global awareness and combating misinformation
  2. Public Courses, Workshops, and Schools
  1. Cultural and Artistic Engagement
  1. Public Events and Conferences (2024)
    In 2024, IULM organised several free events open to the public — including conferences, performances, workshops, concerts, and exhibitions — with a total attendance of nearly 15,000 participants.
    Examples include:

Università IULM hosts events at university that are open to the general public, including  public lectures, community educational events, and actively promotes lifelong learning and civic participation by hosting public lectures and community educational events that are freely accessible to the wider public.
This commitment is embedded in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies the Third Mission as a strategic priority: “to disseminate knowledge, strengthen the relationship between university and society, and support the cultural, social and professional growth of the community.” All initiatives follow the guiding principles of the Statute and the IULM Code of Ethics, ensuring inclusiveness, equality, and non-discrimination.

Public Lectures and Cultural Dialogues

In 2024 IULM hosted a wide range of public lectures, conferences, and artistic performances open to all citizens, offering opportunities for reflection, debate, and cultural exchange between academia and society.

Key examples from 2024 include:

Through these public dialogues and cultural encounters, IULM transforms academic expertise into accessible cultural knowledge, fostering open reflection on communication, art, technology, and society.

Community Educational Events and Applied Learning

In addition to lectures and conferences, IULM organises community-oriented workshops and applied educational programmes that develop practical skills and civic awareness.
These initiatives, often co-designed with institutions and cultural partners, exemplify IULM’s commitment to applied learning and community empowerment.

Highlights from 2024 include:

  • “Fondamenta” – Open Online Course: a free, fully online educational programme offering 12 masterclasses on communication, culture, and critical thinking, open to anyone worldwide.
  • IULM for the City 2024 – a series of 12 open lectures on communication, sustainability, and digital culture for the Milanese community.
  • Teacher Training Courses and Progetto Licei – free programmes for teachers and high-school students promoting media literacy and educational innovation.
  • Junior Summer School and Junior Winter School 2024 – open courses introducing secondary-school students to university-level subjects.
  • International Week 2024 – open lectures by 28 international guest scholars promoting global citizenship and intercultural dialogue.
  • Career Days and Open Days 2024 – community events bridging academia and employment opportunities.

These programmes integrate academic learning with public engagement, allowing citizens to acquire both practical competencies and critical awareness on topics central to sustainable and inclusive societies.

Università IULM as a body hosts educational events at university that are open to the general public, including executive education programmes and vocational training, and designs and delivers free or publicly accessible educational initiatives aimed at enhancing professional and cultural competencies in communication, languages, the arts, and social innovation.

This approach is rooted in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which defines the Third Mission as a core pillar: “to open the University to society through training, research and cultural initiatives that foster professional skills, promote civic participation, and support lifelong learning.”

It is further supported by the Statute — guaranteeing citizens’ right to educational and cultural access — and by the IULM Code of Ethics (Arts. 1–3), which ensures equality, inclusion, and social responsibility in all learning activities.

Vocational Training Courses and Educational Pathways

In 2024, IULM adopted a multidisciplinary and practice-based approach to vocational education, offering workshops, lectures, and cultural events accessible to students, professionals, and citizens alike. These free initiatives provide tools for personal development, professional upskilling, and civic engagement.

Key initiatives included:

  • Training Translators and Interpreters Today – an international workshop open to students and professionals, examining innovation in translation and interpreting studies.
  • Scrivere, tradurre e parlare ai tempi dell’IA – a public seminar on the ethical and linguistic implications of artificial intelligence in communication and translation.
  • Roundtables on Arabic Language Education in Italy - a two-day conference aiming at training representatives from the Ministry of University and Research and regional school authorities to shape national strategies for linguistic inclusion.
  • Fondamenta – a free, open-access online programme featuring 12 masterclasses by leading professors, promoting critical thinking and civic education.
  • IULM for the City – a cycle of free lectures and dialogues between academics and citizens on culture, sustainability, and communication.
  • TOP – Tutoring Online Project – an open-access online mentoring and tutoring initiative for students and recent graduates.
  • Junior Summer School and Junior Winter School 2024 – open courses introducing secondary-school students to university-level subjects.
  • IULM Flow Talks – a public series of webinars featuring international experts, aimed at promoting global awareness and combating misinformation.
    Recent topics from the Flow Talks 2024 series include:
    • TALK 56: “Empower Leadership: Creative and Critical Thinking Perspective”
    • TALK 55: “Addressing the Complex Challenges of Global Food Security — A Dialogue with FAO”
    • TALK 54: “Communicating Sustainability Effectively: Today’s Challenges and Useful Strategies”
    • TALK 53: “Sustainable Innovation: Exploring Gamification in Environmental and Social Outreach and Education”
    • TALK 52: “Green Deal: Actions and Innovations for Sustainability at the Local Level”

Additional 2024 vocational training activities included:

These pathways reinforce IULM’s role as a catalyst for community education, combining academic learning with social and cultural engagement.

Experiential Education in Art, Cinema, and Theatre

Università IULM offers experiential and cultural learning opportunities through exhibitions, performances, and public debates, fostering artistic awareness, creativity, and civic participation.
These initiatives combine creativity, applied learning, and community engagement, turning the campus into a public cultural hub.

Key initiatives in 2024 included:

Through these activities, IULM provided hands-on and participatory learning experiences in art, film, and performance, connecting students, professionals, and citizens.
These initiatives collectively reached over 15,000 participants and demonstrate the University’s commitment to lifelong learning through cultural engagement.

Executive Education Programmes

In parallel with its free community training, IULM offers a comprehensive range of Executive Education Programmes for professionals, managers, and entrepreneurs seeking to enhance their skills in communication, management, and cultural industries.

These are fee-based, accredited programmes, delivered through the IULM Executive Education Division, which ensures academic excellence, industry relevance, and applied outcomes.

Executive Education Offerings:

  • Executive Courses – short, intensive programmes in Strategic Communication, Digital Transformation, Brand Management, Public Speaking, and Sustainability Management.
  • Executive Programmes – multi-module professional courses in Corporate Communication, Leadership and Innovation, Cultural Management, Luxury Marketing, and International Business Strategy.

These initiatives contribute to continuous professional development and strengthen the link between academic research and market practice, supporting the lifelong learning mission defined in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027 and embedded in the University’s Third Mission strategy.

Università IULM actively undertakes educational outreach activities beyond campus, including voluntary student-run schemes, demonstrating a continuous commitment to promoting education, cultural participation, and lifelong learning within the wider community.

This mission is rooted in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which identifies the Third Mission as a pillar to “open the University to society through education and training activities that foster inclusion, participation, and the dissemination of knowledge.”

These initiatives reach schools, educators, and citizens beyond the university, supporting educational development through both in-person and online formats.

Key Outreach Initiatives in 2024

1. Teacher Training Courses and Progetto Licei

IULM has strengthened its direct collaboration with local and national schools through free educational outreach initiatives dedicated to teachers and high-school students.

  • The Teacher Training Courses offer continuous professional development in communication, media literacy, digital culture, and educational innovation. These courses, accredited by the Ministry of Education, are open to teachers across Italy and promote the exchange of pedagogical and methodological practices.
  • The Progetto Licei brings IULM professors directly into secondary schools, delivering short learning programmes on communication, storytelling, and contemporary media. Each course consists of three lessons with practical workshops designed to connect theory and real-world skills. Participation is free and concludes with a certificate issued by IULM.

These programmes foster strong partnerships between IULM and schools, bridging academic and pre-university education to stimulate curiosity and engagement among younger generations.

2. Fondamenta

The Fondamenta project is a fully open, online educational initiative offering free access to 12 masterclasses led by IULM professors and guest experts.
Covering topics from language and communication to culture, philosophy, and media, the course aims to build civic awareness and critical thinking.
Accessible to anyone worldwide, Fondamenta exemplifies IULM’s role in digital educational outreach, making high-level academic content available beyond the campus community.

3. IULM for the City 2024

As part of its Third Mission activities, IULM enriches the initiative IULM for the City, a series of free public lectures and discussions designed to bring university research and cultural debate to the wider Milanese community.
In 2024, the programme included 12 sessions on communication, sustainability, digital innovation, and civic responsibility, led by IULM faculty and visiting experts.
The initiative reinforces IULM’s goal of transforming the university into a space for public learning and a catalyst of cultural participation.

4. TOP – Tutoring Online Project

Through the Tutoring Online Project (TOP), IULM students volunteer to mentor middle- and high-school pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with learning difficulties.
The initiative - developed in collaboration with partner universities and secondary schools - provides free online academic support and orientation.
By engaging its own students as mentors, IULM promotes peer-to-peer learning, social inclusion, and a shared sense of educational responsibility.

5. Translation and Language Outreach

IULM’s translation and linguistic studies centres organised several outreach initiatives in 2024 aimed at promoting intercultural communication and professional language education:

Both events highlight IULM’s contribution to applied linguistic education and its ability to reach beyond academic audiences through open participation and public discussion.

6. IULM Flow Talks

The IULM Flow Talks are a series of free webinars that connect global experts, students, and the general public in discussions about communication, sustainability, and digital transformation.
Each session is streamed online and freely accessible worldwide, embodying IULM’s outreach strategy through digital channels.
Topics covered in 2024 included leadership, the green transition, gamification for sustainability education, and global food security.

7. Junior Summer and Winter Schools

IULM’s Junior Summer Schools and Junior Winter Schools provide free, interactive learning experiences to high-school students who wish to explore university disciplines in communication, arts, tourism, and languages. These schools aim to demystify university study and to help students develop skills and aspirations aligned with future academic and professional paths

Università IULM has a formal policy that ensures that access to these activities is accessible to all, regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability, immigration status, nationality, age, gender or socio-economic background.

This commitment is embedded in the Strategic Plan 2025–2027, which explicitly promotes “equity, inclusion, and universal participation in all dimensions of university life and public engagement.”
It is codified in three key institutional documents:

  • the IULM Code of Ethics, which prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment and guarantees equal treatment for all members of the community;
  • the IULM Gender Equality Plan, which operationalises equality principles in recruitment, governance, and learning environments;
  • and the Statute, which affirms citizens’ right to participate freely in the educational and cultural life of the University.

Principles of Ethics and Non-Discrimination Policy

Article 3 of the IULM Code of Ethics explicitly prohibits any form of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, disability, gender, age, nationality, political or sexual orientation, or immigration status.
It also condemns all forms of harassment — physical, verbal, or psychological — and affirms the right of every person to study and work in a safe, respectful, and supportive environment.

The University implements this principle through:

  • Inclusive admissions and participation policies, guaranteeing that all events, courses, and outreach initiatives are “open to all” without restrictions.
  • Accessibility protocols for people with disabilities or special educational needs, ensuring that physical and digital spaces, including classrooms, libraries, and online platforms, comply with universal design principles.
  • Inclusive communication practices, such as the use of gender-neutral and non-stereotyped language across all institutional documents and public events.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Governance

The practical implementation of equality and inclusion policies is entrusted to the Equal Opportunities Committee, a representative body operating under the Rector’s supervision.
The Committee plays an active role in preventing discrimination, monitoring equality measures, and fostering a culture of inclusion across the University.

Its responsibilities include:

  • Preventing and countering discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, political belief, age, or sexual orientation, as well as any form of harassment or violence.
  • Supporting individuals who believe they have been victims of discriminatory or harmful behaviour, providing confidential assistance and mediation.
  • Promoting work-life balance policies, flexible working arrangements, and welfare measures to enable full participation in academic life.
  • Monitoring equality in recruitment, teaching, and research, and advising the Rector on policy improvements.
  • Raising awareness through training, research, and cultural initiatives on equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion.

The Committee’s work is closely aligned with the IULM Strategic Gender Equality and Inclusion Plan and contributes to periodic reporting and improvement actions in line with EU and national equality standards.

Inclusive Access to University Activities

Several university activities — including degree programmes, public lectures, cultural festivals, community education, and executive training — are explicitly described in promotional and registration materials as “open to all.”
This applies to:

  • Public engagement initiatives (e.g. IULM for the City, Flow Talks, SustainIULM, BookCity Milano @ IULM, Civil Week, and Fondamenta).
  • Vocational and professional training (e.g. Teacher Training Courses, Progetto Licei, Junior Schools, Translation Workshops).
  • Cultural and artistic activities (e.g. Sognielettrici Festival, Noir in Festival, AI.motion, The Legacy of Prometheus).

All of these initiatives are free or low-cost, physically accessible, and promoted publicly through IULM’s communication channels to ensure that external audiences — including underrepresented groups — can participate.