Parma, 1 July 2026 – The University of Parma has officially opened its new Welcome Point at 3 Piazzale San Francesco, a dedicated service hub designed to provide information, guidance and support to prospective and current students, with dedicated services for both Italian and international users.
The new Welcome Point brings together a range of student services in a single, easily accessible location, creating a central point of reference for anyone approaching the University. The service is primarily aimed at prospective students, offering information and assistance with enrolment procedures while directing users to both University and local services, including support with non-academic matters such as finding accommodation.
Current students will also be able to access the Welcome Point's support services. However, all matters relating to the management of their academic records will continue to be handled by the relevant Student Registry Offices.
"Our main goal was to simplify and streamline services by creating a welcoming space where prospective students, and especially first-year students, could find a single point of reference, avoiding the need to visit different University offices across the city," said Rector Paolo Martelli. "It is a first point of contact that will also provide selected services for current students. We believe this is an important initiative that can be further expanded over time and forms part of the broader commitment to improving the University's welcome and support services that we have pursued over the past few years."
"The opening of the new Welcome Point," added Director General Michele Nicolosi, "represents a strategic investment in enhancing student services. It reflects an administration that is evolving from a compliance-based approach to one focused on creating value, placing people at the centre through staff development, welcoming services, personalised guidance and increasingly integrated, user-friendly services tailored to the needs of our University community."
Among those attending the inauguration was Michele Alinovi, President of the Parma City Council, representing the Municipality of Parma.
At the Welcome Point, prospective students can receive general information about enrolment, obtain updates on the status of their applications and, in the case of international applicants or those holding foreign qualifications, submit the documentation required to complete the enrolment process, including academic credentials obtained abroad and residence permits. As noted above, all services related to students' academic careers after enrolment will continue to be provided by the relevant Student Registry Offices.
The Welcome Point hosts a number of dedicated service desks, each focusing on specific areas of support:
- Prospective Student Information Desk – General information on enrolment procedures and University services.
- Admission Office and Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) – An integrated support service for international students, providing assistance with immigration procedures, residence permits, tax identification numbers (codice fiscale) and the administrative requirements for entering and residing in Italy.
- Welcome Service – Reception and guidance service primarily for international and incoming mobility students, offering information and support on accommodation, healthcare, banking services, transport and other practical aspects of living and studying in Parma.
- Enrolment Service – Student Registry desks organised by academic area, providing support with enrolment procedures, admission tests and the assessment of foreign qualifications.
- Student Mobility Service – Two dedicated desks supporting both incoming and outgoing student mobility, assisting students throughout every stage of their mobility experience to and from the University of Parma.
Support relating to tuition fees and financial aid will continue to be provided online by the Student Fees Office, using the existing procedures.
Opening hours
The Welcome Point is open from 1 July according to the following schedule:
- Monday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Friday: 9:30 am – 12:00 pm (online service only, by appointment via the Easy Academy platform. Appointments can be booked from 1 July, with the first available slots from 3 July.)
From Monday to Thursday, access is available without an appointment.
