Marco had a serious problem. Two years ago, he had spent four months at a laboratory in Lyon, France. The university claimed that time abroad did not count as “effective attendance.” But Marco knew that European doctoral programs encouraged mobility.
“Good morning,” he said calmly. “According to DM 226/2021, Article 8, paragraph 2, my time in France counts as attendance. According to Law 240/2010, Article 4, my university must respect international mobility. And according to your own regulation, Article 12, paragraph 3, the Faculty Board judges ‘effective participation’—not physical presence. I have emails, lab notebooks, and a letter from my French supervisor proving effective participation. Please schedule my defense.” legislazione universitaria pdf
His defense had been rejected twice by the university’s Doctoral Committee. The reason: a vague clause in the university’s internal regulations— “Il titolo di dottore di ricerca non può essere conferito se la frequenza non rispetta le modalità previste dall’art. 12, comma 3.” (The PhD title cannot be awarded if attendance does not respect the methods outlined in art. 12, paragraph 3.) Marco had a serious problem
Marco had his weapon.