ROME -- Francesco Rutelli, ex-Mayor of the Italian capital, had to resume the 12 exams he did not complete 40 years ago to gain a degree in ‘Planning and Design of the Environment and Landscape’ in order to further his ambitions of becoming Director of UNESCO, finally receiving the qualification just days ago.

 At the age of 62, Rutelli returned to the textbooks, determined to gain the degree he so desperately needed in order to be eligible for the prestigious role of Head of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

 Despite lacking that one university degree, the former Mayor is President of the Cultural Heritage Rescue Prize, President of the Cultural Priority Association, Coordinator of the Cultural Forum of Italy-China, President of the Italy-United Arab Emirates Association, Coordinator of the Group for Ancient Cultural and Religious Pathways, Co-President of the Master in Sustainable Development, and Geopolitician of Arctic Studies and Resources -- to name just a few titles.

 Rutelli’s desire to lead UNESCO drove the ex-Minister of Cultural Heritage to opt for a ‘quicker and more favourable course,’ according to Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano, choosing one of only a few degrees which does not have a ‘binding’ entrance exam.

 A total of 12 exams had to be completed in just over a year, having to re-learn eight Architecture exams which he did not complete 40 years ago.

 According to the procedure for re-enrolling, a small offering is paid and then the student is entrusted to the Council of Study. However, the response can sometimes be bitter and so it is often better to have a friend or acquaintance within the system who can help you along.

 Hence it is probable, according to Il Fatto Quotidiano, that Professor Giuseppe Scarascia Mugnozza had invited the former Mayor of Rome to the inauguration of his own course in October 2015. The pair then attended the presentation of Giuseppe Barbera’s book together in March 2016, the World IFLA Conference in Turin together in April 2016, and also went together to the November conference for Rutelli’s Foundation with the FAO.

 Rutelli was praised by deans from the Sapienza University and Tuscia University for being a “humble” student, and also showing a “virtuous example which was infectious.”

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