The story
SUPSI was established on 11 March 1997 by Canton Ticino and it received federal recognition in 2003. The new institution integrates preexisting specialized schools and public and private research institutes which date back to 1852 with the Cantonal High School initiated by Carlo Cattaneo and providing higher education courses in mechanics and architecture.
In 1997 SUPSI integrates within its new organization:
STS Electronic Engineering Section (established in Manno in 1993)
SSQEA College for Financial and Administrative Managers (established by Canton Ticino in 1987 as a third cycle following the commercial schools)
SSAA College of Applied Arts (established by Canton Ticino in Lugano in 1985 as a third cycle of the CSIA Educational Centre for Artistic Industry)
ICIMSI Institute of Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Southern Switzerland (established in Manno in 1992 as a private-public initiative to develop applied research in support of industry)
ICTS the Cantonal Experimental Technical Institution
the Cantonal Office of Geology and Hydrology which becomes the Institute of Earth Science (IST).
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In 1997 SUPSI is divided into four departments: Construction and Territory, Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, Applied Art and Business Administration.
In the following years other specialized schools and public and private research institutes were integrated:
1998 College of Social Work (established by Canton Ticino) becomes a department.
1999 IDSIA Dalle Molle Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research (established in Lugano in 1988); it is jointly run by Università della Svizzera italiana and SUPSI thanks to an agreement between the two institutions.
2004 Fernfachhochshule Schweiz (FFHS) based in Brig and with training centers in Basel, Bern and Zurich.
2006 Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana - Scuola Universitaria di Musica (Conservatory of Southern Switzerland/Ticino Music Conservatory)
2006 Accademia Teatro Dimitri (established in 1975 by the Swiss clown Dimitri as a school of movement theatre).
2007 Phsyiotherapie Graubünden (based in Landquart); Bachelor in Physiotherapy affiliated to the Department of Health Sciences.
2011 MAInD; Master of Arts in Interaction Design.
From Wikipedia’s article on SUPSI, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4