Question everything
Why one Italian university is pioneering a new model for higher education
As higher education faces a pivotal moment, Luiss Guido Carli, a distinguished private university in Rome, is paving the way forward by redefining the essence of learning.
In its report assessing the state of higher education across the globe, UNESCO argues that higher education is at a critical juncture.
A confluence of developments including enrolment expansion, the growth of advanced technologies, and concerns around the use of post-truth mean that universities must find new ways to make their offering relevant to a generation shaped by an ever-changing global environment.
“Higher education has a strategic and irreplaceable role to play in building more sustainable, resilient, and peaceful societies,” says Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education. “Ultimately, our common goal must be to ensure the right to higher education for all and make institutions accountable to individual learners, their societies, and the well-being of our planet at large.”
Our common goal must be to ensure the right to higher education for all.
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education
And with the stakes so high, some argue that universities need to be bolder and more distinct to grasp the opportunities of tomorrow.
Luiss Guido Carli (Luiss), a university nestled in the heart of Rome, is doing just that. With its cohort of 10,000 students representing 102 nationalities, a 96% graduate employment rate, and a raft of global accolades, its approach is undeniably successful.
But Luiss is also going further, challenging the status quo by building a hub of intellectual curiosity and innovation to equip the next generation with the tools they need to succeed.
Feel, Think, Act
Established in 1974 by a group of ambitious thinkers and entrepreneurs, the goal of Luiss was not simply to teach, but to instil in young people a sense of independence over their future.
At the heart of this philosophy is the Enquirer Model – a ground-breaking approach to education that pushes students to nurture independent thought, critical analysis, and the pursuit of finding solutions to real-world challenges over rigid conformity.
Today, this ethos can be found within each of its schools – spanning the realms of business, law, and social science – unified by a strict philosophy that nurtures students in an environment of intellectual exploration.
The Enquirer Model can be applied in many ways. For example, instead of promoting the transactional exchange between pupil and teacher, Luiss broadens the student experience through the “co-creation” of knowledge and academic papers with educators. Students are also confronted with real-world problems that require quantitative, qualitative, or combined forms of research methodologies to find solutions.
“Being able to understand the world in which we live means being able to question basic assumptions,” says Luca Giustiniano, Prorector for Organization and Faculty, Luiss. “This brings our students closer to conscious and informed opinion, making them better citizens of the future.”
Setting up for success
The impact of the Enquirer Model can be seen through the inspiring work of students, professors, and alumni who are leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields.
From Marcella Panucci, Director-General of the General Confederation of Italian Industry, and Fabio Panetta, the Governor of the Bank of Italy, to Riccardo Zacconi, the visionary mind behind worldwide hit Candy Crush, and Gianmarco Tamberi, gold medal winner at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, the Luiss community is a catalyst of innovation and progress.
And for sporting heroes like Tamberi, Olympic ski champion Sofia Goggia, and rising sprint star Eloisa Coiro, Luiss has dedicated courses for student athletes who, thanks to a flexible approach, are able to balance the demands of international championships and world-class education.
But reflecting the ethos of the Enquirer Model itself, success should also be measured through the experience of students currently studying at Luiss. An experience which emphasizes the broader development of values, feelings, knowledge, skills, and behavior.
Empathy, for example, is an often-overlooked soft skill in business, which Luiss frames as the key to successful collaboration, a fundamental skill for any future career.
“Luiss trained me to work in a team and be much more empathic, to listen to others, and communicate more effectively,” says Carmen Pisanti, Marketing, Luiss. “When working individually, you tend to adopt a single way of thinking. Luiss has taught me that this is not the case and nothing is absolute.”
In the Enquirer Model, success isn’t a binary measure; it’s holistic, where personal growth is as important as academic achievements. It’s this approach which primes individuals to drive change across the globe.
The leaders of tomorrow
As the world of education sits at a crossroads, Luiss has seized the moment to create a new paradigm for higher education. By combining critical thinking, global action, and values-based teaching, the Enquirer Model is equipping students with the tools they need to face the challenges that lie ahead.
Luiss Guido Carli isn’t just educating students; it’s coaching the changemakers of tomorrow.
