Ser.In.Ar. was founded in 1988 by the Municipalities of Forlì and Cesena, the Provincial Government of Forlì-Cesena, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture of Forlì and the Casse di Risparmio (Savings Banks) of Forlì and Cesena (today Foundations), with the purpose of promoting, supporting and enhancing degree programmes and other initiatives that the University of Bologna has planned to implement or activate or relocate to the cities of Forlì and Cesena.
In 1992 the Emilia Romagna Regional Government became one of the corporate shareholders, as did the Municipality of Bertinoro in 1995. These shareholders then sold their shares respectively in 2004 and 2015; in 2003 the Municipality of Predappio became a shareholder.
Relations between Ser.In.Ar. and the University of Bologna are governed by a framework agreement. Ser.In.Ar.’s collaboration with the University of Bologna has taken on the following forms: organisation of the degree programme facilities (construction, renovation, furnishings, IT and laboratory equipment; provision of secretarial and service personnel; promotion and orientation of degree courses activated in the decentralised facilities; organisation of events connected to the scientific fields involved in the degree programmes (conferences, seminars, debates); in collaboration with the Regional Body for the Right to Education and the Municipalities of Forlì and Cesena, management of dormitories, cafeteria and information services; organization of training courses mainly for higher education and life-long learning (post-graduate and post-high school) as part of the regional, national and EU framework for professional development, in close collaboration with the university and the local educational system.
