ISTITUTO ZACCAGNINI, SINCE 1977 A CONSOLIDATED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION AT THE SERVICE OF THE optical-OPTOMETRIC PROFESSION
Of the set of scientific disciplines, practices and professional protocols with the task of correcting and compensating vision defects, known as optics, there are treatises dating back to the beginning of the first millennium (Alhazen), and the image of the first glasses (portrait of Thomas of Modena) dates back to 1352 .
The recognition of the profession of Optician took place with the Royal Decree 1334 of 1928 and its numerous updates, by virtue of which this profession has constantly evolved; on one side under the thrust of new scientific knowledge and on the other one thanks to the technological progress of the materials used and of control and diagnostics equipment. The latest revision of the profile of the optician as an "auxiliary art of the health professions" was the Legislative Decree of the 13th of April 2017, no. 61 and the Interministerial Decree of the 24th of May 2018, yet in use, that incorporates the most recent innovations brought by optometry and computer technologies to the vision sciences. The most important data for the future development of the profession, which emerges from the examination of the law, is the confirmation of the role of the first observer of eye health and of the connection between ametropic citizens and doctors, entrusted to the Optician.
As for all professions operating in the field of health, the opto-optometric one is subjected to a demanding and continuous work of professional, technological and cultural updating to the great social and behavioural changes that have occurred in the last decade and, particularly, following the trauma of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The history of the Zaccagnini Institute, began in 1977 in Bologna, roughly with the fulfilment of an ancient dream of many researchers: the creation of a lens applied directly to the cornea, that is, the contact lens and the new disciplines from which it originated, optometry and contact lens practice. Since I took over the direction of the Institute in 1991, our history has been inspired, over time, by innovative strategic concepts and by the attribution of a permanent value to the relationships with families and students. The direction given by the Zaccagnini Institute to its educational policies has resulted in a constant commitment to updating the teaching subjects, the scientific and professional innovation of all disciplines related to eye care and the correction and compensation of sight and vision, aimed at giving to our students a transdisciplinary knowledge.
The instrument and starting point of this strategic choice is the Annual Interdisciplinary Congress along with international collaborations, especially with English universities, culminating in the degree course in Optometry in collaboration with the Aston University of Birmingham.
Over the years, to facilitate the expansion of our students' professional knowledge, the Institute training offer has been complemented by Higher Education Programs with Masters in advanced disciplines and practices with the aim of allowing all opticians to expand and update their professional horizons to meet the "customer satisfaction" of their clients, their legitimate career aspirations and the economic results of the optical centre.
Finally, to the problems posed by the Covid-19 epidemic, we responded by adopting an innovative approach, based on the method of "integrated teaching", which has transformed the "Distance Learning" emergency into an opportunity from which a further strong impulse to innovation has arisen.
The courses carried out with the Integrated Customized Teaching have made it possible to fluidify our relationship with the students, to make teaching more flexible (allowing the expansion to categories of students, such as those busy with work and with different frequency needs), through the simultaneous provision of in presence and remote classes (via streaming), and the subsequent availability of the recordings of the lessons in addition to school documentation, access to libraries and the carrying out of all the routinely activities of the school, especially practical-clinical. Thus, even in times of the harshest lockdown, the school has managed to carry out an important part of the face-to-face programs, especially those that required professional practices.
The adoption of integrated teaching programs and the flexible approach between the various teaching methods, has allowed to reduce the number of hours otherwise lost, preserved the quality of teaching and led to the professional qualification examination of all the students who were able to enjoy all the preliminary assistance they needed.
The Institute, through a dense network of contacts, such as Open Days in person and Online, individual tours, communications via the most popular social networks, national press and its own information organ, provides families and students with all the information and clarifications to help them with choosing the higher education that leads to the acquisition of a professional qualification in the health area, and present them personalized proposals and solutions.
Our faculty and staff, engaged in teaching activities and in the relationship with families and students, have assimilated in a deep and convinced way the principle that those who do not achieve their educational objectives represent a loss for the school and, for this reason, they make the utmost effort to bring to a successful end all possible critical issues that may affect our students’ school results.
Giorgio Righetti