History of the University of Bari

The University of Bari Aldo Moro was established by Royal Decree (R.D.) no. 2102 of 30 September 1923 and officially founded on 9 October 1924. It was built on the foundations of the former University Schools of Pharmacy and Notary Studies, created shortly after the Unification of Italy to replace the historic “Reale Liceo delle Puglie”.

In January 1925, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery was established, incorporating the existing School of Midwifery. At the same time, the School of Pharmacy was upgraded to Faculty status. These were soon followed by the Faculties of Law, Economics and Commerce (originating from the Royal Higher School of Commerce founded in 1882), and Agriculture.

From 1944 onwards, the University expanded significantly with the establishment of new Faculties, including Humanities and Philosophy, Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, Engineering, Education (Magistero), Veterinary Medicine, and Foreign Languages and Literatures.

A further phase of development took place with the Four-Year Plan 1986–1990, approved by Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) of 12 May 1989. This plan introduced new university campuses in Foggia and Taranto. In Foggia, the Faculties of Law, Economics and Commerce, and Agriculture were established. The latter included a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Food Preparation Sciences, later renamed Food Science and Technology. In Taranto, a Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Environmental Sciences with a marine specialisation was launched as an extension of the Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences of Bari.

The same plan also led to the establishment of the Faculty of Architecture, which was later incorporated into the newly founded Polytechnic University of Bari, together with the Faculty of Engineering, which was separated from the University of Bari.

Following the reform of university teaching systems (Law no. 341/90) and the University Development Plan for 1991–1993 (Presidential Decree of 28 October 1991), a Ministerial Decree of 31 January 1992 authorised the activation of several University Diplomas. These included programmes in plant and animal production (with various specialisations), cultural heritage, nursing, tourism, biology, and pharmaceutical technologies, some of which were offered at off-site campuses in Foggia and Taranto. Additional programmes in journalism, tourism, and translation and interpreting were planned but not activated at that time.

The same development plan also envisaged further initiatives, including the transformation of the Degree Programme in Political Science into a Faculty (not implemented), the establishment of a Degree Programme in Business Administration in Taranto (not activated), and the expansion of the Environmental Sciences programme in Taranto to include a terrestrial specialisation. In addition, a Degree Programme in Medicine and Surgery was established in Foggia, starting from 1 November 1993, as an offshoot of the corresponding Faculty in Bari.

International activity has played a key role in the University’s development. Numerous cultural cooperation agreements have been established with European and American universities, along with a significant partnership with several universities in the People’s Republic of China.

The University of Bari is also home to the Community of Mediterranean Universities (CUM), founded in 1983 and recognised by UNESCO as a non-governmental supranational organisation. Today, it brings together 158 universities from countries across the Mediterranean region.