Trento – Thanks to an extraordinary and non-repeatable release of funds set aside by the University of 14.4 million, the single budget of the University of Trento for the 2023 financial year closes with a surplus of over 4.4 million. Without this one-off injection of resources, the 2023 budget would have closed with a deficit of almost 10 million. A situation, already widely known, which however does not cause particular concern for the future trend of the University’s accounts, considering the reassurances received from the positive outcome of the negotiations between the Autonomous Province of Trento and the ministries involved on the adjustment of the basic fee. Once the financial transfer has been confirmed, this will bring an additional 13 million to the University’s coffers every year, guaranteeing balance in the accounts and support for growth, not without the usual attention to cost containment.
The 14.4 million in funds released in 2023 which allowed the closure of the financial year in the black are resources previously restricted to cover future costs to support the merit awards which will no longer occur as the institute has been reformed. These are therefore residuals which, once the conditions for their provision no longer exist, must necessarily be valued as revenues in 2023 and are therefore functional to rebalancing the accounts.
The Board of Directors of the University of Trento discussed and unanimously approved the 2023 budget document. The aspect of good management and the attention to containing operating costs was highlighted. The Trentino University’s commitment continues in terms of resources and activities for the call for departments of excellence and for the projects approved within the Pnrr (such as recruitment, excellence programmes, doctoral scholarships, funding, investments in infrastructure and partnerships) as well as for the implementation of the University Strategic Plan 2022/27.
In the session the rector reported to the Board of Directors on the progress of the management and the strategic plan. Most of the actions were carried out as planned and a virtuous propensity to use third-party financing with less impact on the University’s accounts emerges. While waiting for a clearer definition of the building development plan shared with the provincial government, maintenance and energy efficiency actions have been carried out on the University buildings. A question – that of building development – which however remains open, considering the need to equip modern infrastructure to accommodate research activities, which has always been an element of attractiveness and competitive advantage for the University of Trento.
But also to respond to the request for accommodation expressed for some time by the student population and continue to guarantee the conditions to accommodate registrations (and consequently student contributions) and transfers of teaching and research staff.
From the balance sheet it also emerges that the university continues to stand out precisely for its ability to attract funding from third parties, confirming once again the great potential of its human capital employed in the various disciplinary sectors, as well as the ability to participate in competitive tenders and competence in management of the administrative procedures connected to the financing requests.
Operating income – Of the 230 million that make up operating income, the most significant items concern teaching income, made up almost exclusively of student contributions and those deriving from commissioned research and competitive funding. Revenue from university fees is substantially in line with that of the previous year (+0.9%) and amounts to 20.8 million. On the other hand, revenues from commissioned research and those from research with competitive funding rose (+8.7%) to reach 31.7 million. The project proposals of UniTrento research are therefore confirmed as being of great quality. A performance that allows UniTrento to integrate its budget, raising funding at a local, national and international level. Added to the University’s fundraising capacity are the allocations from the Autonomous Province of Trento (124 million), from the Ministry of University and Research (22.3 million) and from other bodies, for a total of 156 million, an increase of 1 .4% compared to the last budget. Furthermore, as foreseen by the repayment plan, the Pat has disbursed 30 million to cover previous receivables from the University. This led to an overall reduction of the Province’s debt of 17.1 million towards the University.
Operating costs – The total operating costs stand at 220 million euros. The most significant items concern personnel costs: 124.9 million equal to 56.7%, an increase of 7%. In this item, the cost of personnel dedicated to research and teaching is 88.3 million (+4.8% compared to 2022). This increase is due to the entry of new staff, internal progression and the salary increase due to the ISTAT adjustment. To partially cover personnel costs, the University recorded funding of 25.1 million during the year, an increase of 24.1% (+4.9 million), mainly from the Mur for recruitment plans and within the Departments of excellence, as well as specific assignments from the Pat, and the APSS and other funding on specific agreements and projects. Then there are the costs for current management (72.2 million) which account for 32.8% and are increasing compared to the last financial year by 2.5%. The slight growth is linked to the increase in travel expenses (+1.6 million) and transfers to partners for projects coordinated by UniTrento (+0.5 million). However, there was a slight decrease in student support costs (-0.6 million), mainly linked to the reduction in ministerial funding dedicated to mobility grants with the consequent redetermination of the same. Income taxes of 7.7 million are added to all operating costs.
