AIAS Bologna onlus

AIAS Bologna onlus is a highly specialised independent assistive technology (AT) service provider. Since 40 years we investigate the enabling and empowering role of assistive technology for persons that due to functional limitations are disabled in and by their environments. The strength of the organisation lies in its independence from commercial interests which makes the organisation a trustworthy partner for individuals, institutions and governments seeking effective and cost beneficial technology based solutions responding to individual, collective or societal needs. With a multidisciplinary team of 22 professionals representing the technological, health and social/educational domain, we deliver on a daily base assessment services, training and consultancy in the three AT centres that we operate on behalf of the local and regional health authorities of Emilia Romagna. Other 5 staff members are engaged in research activities funded by local, regional or European grants or with financial resources that AIAS itself is able to invest in innovation. We firmly believe that this interaction between theory and practice, between research and service delivery is a main asset that distinguishes AIAS Bologna from other players and that makes our end user driven association and its AT team highly appreciated at local, national and international level.
AIAS Bologna was founded in 1962 as one of the first NGO’s in Italy advocating for better services for persons with disabilities of all ages. In the course of its existence AIAS Bologna has incubated more that 20 services, many of which still exists. The drive to innovate and to adapt our services to the changing needs and contexts is more than ever alive, now that social care and health care providers are increasingly challenged to seek new opportunities for service innovation in the digitalised world.

Learn more about our work by watching these video’s:

Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna

The oldest University in the Western world: looking toward the future since 1088.

The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in Western Europe. Nowadays, it still remains one of the most important institutions of higher education across Europe with 32 Departments and over 85,000 students. The University community of teaching and services staff counts today more than 5,900 people – 2,781 teaching staff, 2,975 technical-administrative staff, 1240 PhD candidates and 1213 post graduated fellows.

The University of Bologna has a Multicampus structure, with campuses in Bologna and the Romagna region – Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, and permanent headquarters in Buenos Aires since 1998.

With regard to the international reputation, the University of Bologna has been awarded the use of the logo “HR Excellence in Research” and is among the top 5 Italian universities in the main International rankings. It aims for excellence both in the education and research fields:  it is top ranked in the most recognized world and national university rankings (QS, Shanghai, Times Higher Education, Censis Guide and the Sole 24Ore rankings). It has been successfully evaluated and thus funded by the Italian Ministry of Education for excellent research activities within its Departments. It is the second Italian University in terms of funds received by the European Commission under the Research and Innovation Programme Horizon2020. It is one of the main Universities in Italy partnering with local and national companies and getting funds for industrial research.

Activities are related to 215 Degree Programmes, 71 International degree programmes, 41 PhD programmes, 39 specialisation schools, 66 first and second level professional master’s programmes.

The University of Bologna is committed to the values of sustainability, such as enhancing and safeguarding the territory, improving community wellbeing, promoting a knowledge-based development economy, social equity, and the ability of those involved to work effectively together for the common good.

Faithful to its mission, and thanks to a history that has consolidated over time, the Alma Mater Studiorum is fully aware that its activities can produce significant impact, both direct and indirect, on the community and on the region. Therefore, it continues to invest in the quality of training and in research related to the needs of society, as well as in a valuable organizational, institutional and multicampus structure, allowing their members to operate over a vast territory.