The SSC, Scuola Superiore di Catania (freely translated as "Excellence School of Catania") is an Italian University Upper School for excellent students, chosen with a selective entry test, with the purposes of:
* enhancing abilities of undergraduate students enrolled in the University of Catania, by additional courses and introduction to research activities,
and
* offering excellent postgraduate courses such as PhDs and International Master Degrees.

Its organization is inspired by the one of Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, an historical excellence school among Italian Universities. Thus, undergraduate students attend standard courses offered by the University of Catania, but also additional courses organized by SSC; they must have an average mark of 27/30 and have access to financial resources for research activities and conferences abroad.

SSC results have been confirmed by the numerous scientific papers produced by its students, as can be checked at the address http://www.scuolasuperiorecatania.it/attric/public.php, and they work in important businesses and international research centers (see map at: http://alumni.ssc.unict.it/page.php?6).

This and Lecce's ISUFI are the only such entities in Southern Italy. The cutbacks for already insufficient education and research expenses, which were recently announced, hinder the research for needed funding, and risk causing the end of this experience, weakening further the Italian university system, especially in Southern Italy.

We, the students of SSC, therefore demand that needed financial resources are found, so that SSC can continue his activity of excellence education and introduction to research.

Translated from http://www.firmiamo.it/sopravvivissc.