The University of Genoa pays tribute to Paolo Fresco, who passed away at the age of 93. A manager of international standing, he held a number of leading positions during his career, including Vice-Chairman of General Electric and, from 1998 to 2003, Chairman of FIAT S.p.A..
Having graduated in Law from the University of Genoa, he maintained a strong connection with the University throughout his life. In November 1999, in his capacity as chairman of FIAT, he attended the inauguration ceremony for the 1999–2000 academic year, delivering the lectio magistralis "Study is an investment... and happiness".
In his address, he spoke to the students, urging them to approach their university years with passion and curiosity, emphasising that study represents an investment not only in their professional future but also in their personal growth:
“By devoting yourselves to your studies with passion and curiosity, you can achieve a professional life full of rewards and – why not? – enjoyment, which only excelling in your chosen field can provide. You are told, as I was told, that studying is an investment in the future. I tell you, as I myself discovered after leaving these lecture theatres, that it is also a great investment in your happiness.”
His relationship with the University of Genoa continued in the years that followed through his support for the education of the younger generation. Through the Paolo and Marlène Fresco Foundation, he has in fact promoted scholarships for students on the Master’s in Corporate Law, helping to facilitate access to a higher education programme based on merit and geared towards qualified entry into the world of work.
More than twenty-five years on, the words spoken in the Aula Magna and his constant commitment to education bear witness to the value that Paolo Fresco attributed to the university as a place for the growth of individuals, skills and society.
(Pictured: a moment from the opening ceremony for the 1999/2000 academic year).