Bocconi, New eni Chair in Energy Markets
A NEW DEDICATED AND PERMANENT CHAIR, FINANCED THROUGH AN ENDOWMENT, HELD BY MICHELE POLOThe study and analysis of energy is strengthened in Università Bocconi thanks to the agreement with eni who will finance the eni Chair in Energy Markets, a dedicated and permanent chair, which has been assigned to Michele Polo, director of Iefe Bocconi, Centre for Research on Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy, and Vice Rector for Organization of Bocconi.
Professor Polo is full professor of Economics at the E. Bocconi Department of Economics. His research interests include industrial economics, antitrust and regulation with particular reference to network industries and energy sectors.
Eni is a strategic partner of Bocconi since 2007, year in which it financed, among other things, the chair dedicated to strategic management in the energy industry.
“We are particularly happy to further strengthen our relationship with eni to whom we are grateful for the contribution in recent years in the support of research, teaching and students who have shown talent and interest for themes linked to energy,” says Guido Tabellini, rector of Bocconi. “These agreements are fundamental in allowing us to further grow the quality in our classrooms and research activity, with the collaboration of companies but in respect of the full autonomy of Bocconi which remains at the base of our values and our statute.”
The commitment of Bocconi in the energy sector, a fundamental asset for the competitive development of Italy, is especially articulated in teaching (beginning from the courses in energy economics, environmental economics and industrial organization and the Mager, Master in Green Management, Energy and Corporate Social Responsibility) and in research. The Iefe research centre promotes the analysis of the energy chain and the gas and electricity markets, of local public services, of environmental sustainability, in an economics and management perspective.
In the twin role of Iefe director and holder of the eni Chair in Energy Markets, professor Polo will develop teaching and researchinitiatives on the themes of the evolution of energy markets and energy policies, as well as the themes of the environment and climatic changes.
“The themes of the energy markets and the environment are today of fundamental importance for the growth of our country and for the design of economic policies. The evolution of the electricity market, with the growing weight of renewable sources, asks for the revision of the entire structure of the sector and sees Italy in line with the objectives set by Europe. The links between energy markets, the environment and climatic changes also represent a challenge in the global balances to which we can participate with the contribution of ideas,” explains Polo.
The institution of endowed chairs is a mode of financing which aligns Bocconi with the practices of the best universities, especially anglo-saxon, where the raising of funds and donations are considered a normal mode of functioning for a university which dialogues and collaborates with society and the business world.
by Tomaso Eridani
