Pasquale Terracciano, Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom and Massimiliano Mazzanti, Italian Consul General in London, visited the University of Reading today, where they met with academics, researchers and a group of students. Ambassador Terracciano and the visiting delegation from this Embassy attended a series of presentations on the university’s Italian studies programme.
Dr Julia Walters, Head of Department of Modern Languages and European Studies, gave a welcome speech which was followed by several presentations to showcase specific activities relating to Italian studies.
In the field of teaching, presentations were given on: the History of Italian studies at Reading (Dr Faloppa); the “Choose Italian” campaign (Dr La Penna); profile of Italian students at Reading (Dr Verruccio); Dante Studies (Dr Nasti). Students were also involved, telling their experiences, with a beginner and advanced student of Italian giving talks, and a third, Monica Malfa, who was given the first Meneghello Prize, which is awarded to an outstanding student of Italian Studies.
Talks were also given on research related topics – “Reading research and teaching networks with Italy” (Dr Sampson) and “The Italianist, its history and Reading and its current status” (Prof. Leavitt) completed the cycle of presentations.
Following a working lunch offered by the Vice-Chancellor, Sir David Bell, Ambassador Terracciano met with a large contingent of Italians who study or work at the University of Reading.
– Italian Studies, University of Reading
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor (second from left), Ambassador Terracciano and Consul
General Mazzanti (middle of second row).
Monica Malfa – recipient of the first Meneghello Price awarded to outstanding
student of Italian Studies.
