The History of the School of Animal Science at the University of Padova (Padua) and the Evolution of Animal Science in Italy

In its 800-year history, the University of Padova (Padua, Italy) has come to play an important role in development animal science Italy and Europe. Having founded oldest university botanical garden (1545; UNESCO World Heritage Site) anatomical theatre (1595), awarded first degree a woman (Elena-Lucrezia Cornaro-Piscopia, 1678), instituted Public School Agriculture (Orto Agrario) 1765 Collegium Zooiatricum 1773. Between 1986 1995, under leadership Professor Mario Bonsembiante, scientist rector, scientific-technological center Agripolis was established, including Faculties Veterinary Medicine (with experimental farm veterinary hospital), Istituto Zooprofilattico delle Venezie, Veneto Agricoltura. rapidly became most innovative for teaching, research, extension services fields agricultural, animal, veterinary, food environmental sciences. last 35 years, number Italian scientists remained almost constant, but they have moved on more research topics closer society’s demand concerns, significantly enhanced their international standing, reaching position Europe fourth world terms citations.