How do you ‘do university’ in an uncertain political, social and economic context? This is the challenging question Rector Donata Vianelli raised her first inauguration ceremony of the 2025-2026 academic year on the 102nd anniversary of the University of Trieste.

‘Vision,strategy and pragmatism will be the guiding principles of the next six years of my rectorate, an approach capable of dealing lucidly with the uncertainty of the future’, the Rector said. ‘Our greatest energy is the pride of belonging to this university, pride reciprocated by a local community that recognises us as an essential component of its cultural, social and economic development’.

The value of the relationship with the community and the international context was strongly demonstrated by the presence at the ceremony of the Italian Ambassador to France, Emanuela D’Alessandro, who was entrusted with the lectio magistralis ‘Italy, France, Europe: diplomacy in action’.

‘It is a great honour to be here in Trieste. As I have been able to appreciate in my years as Italian Ambassador in Zagreb, Trieste is a city founded on its vocation for dialogue and international openness, a ‘city-border’ par excellence, a crossroads of peoples, cultures and trade, a meeting point between different souls in Europe and the Mediterranean, between North and South, between East and West,’ stressed the Ambassador, ‘A city that is a candidate for acting as a fundamental hub of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic (IMEC) Corridor, designed to logistically connect India, the Gulf countries, Egypt, Israel and the Mediterranean, and for which our Ministry plans to organise a major event here in Trieste next year’.

The key themes of Vianelli’s rectorate will be not only internationalisation but also digitalisation, sustainability and construction at the University, all the while keeping research and student relations at the centre.

Internationalisation and relationship with the local community

The strong recovery in student mobility and the expansion of international scientific collaborations are a positive sign. The future strategy will be geared towards investing in cooperation not only as support but also as leverage for research and education, promoting international networks and contributing to the spread of a culture of peace and social justice.

Actions already underway include the hospitality offered to scholars from countries at risk, projects to support migrants in the local area, interventions in Africa dedicated to STEM education, support for the dissemination of sustainable, minimally invasive surgery and the investigation of climate change, conflict and migration. New cooperation projects have also been launched in Tanzania, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Finally, the University is taking steps to welcome new Palestinian students. 

As for the relationship with the territory, UniTS will inaugurate a new phase of more active and systematic dialogue with companies, bodies and institutions. While remaining a research university, the University recognises that the most advanced research comes from the combination of academic skills and real needs, and that the knowledge produced must be translated into value for the community. It will invest in technology transfer, strengthening its presence in places focussed on development through framework agreements, strategic conventions, joint projects and by promoting initiatives with concrete impact on the territory. 

Digitalisation

Teaching and research in artificial intelligence and data science has been consolidated both in the course catalogue and in a high-profile research project that has been recognised at international level. Looking to the future, the University intends to further strengthen its commitment to the dissemination of digital culture, data, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, promoting training courses and education initiatives designed not only for the University community, but also for its social and economic context. 

‘Weimmediately gave strong support to the creation of the AgorAI Innovation Hub, an ecosystem made up of excellent companies to promote the development of start-ups, the attraction of talent and innovative planning in the field of Artificial Intelligence,’recalled Vianelli.

Sustainability

In this academic year, the University will boast its first graduates from the Master’s Degree in ‘Engineering for the Energy Transition’, which enhances years of advanced research in the energy sector through a multidisciplinary course designed to respond to the European and national priorities for the green transition. Another significant example of investment in sustainability is the new ELISA Laboratory, coordinated by the Ciamician Centre and dedicated to energy storage technologies. The facility integrates six departments and strengthens UniTS’ capacity to contribute to a sustainable energy future.

University building

The University has multiple locations across Trieste from Piazzale Europa to the old part of the city, from San Giovanni Park to Porto Vecchio and future extensions to the Cattinara hospital, as well as multiple satellite campuses at Gorizia, Pordenone and Portogruaro. This structure poses challenges that have already begun to be addressed through rationalisation, reorganisation, consolidation and reducing congestion. At the same time, strategic projects, large construction sites and restoration, redevelopment and refitting work are being carried out, some of which are possible thanks to the important contribution of the CRTrieste Foundation.

Research

UniTS is continuing to renew and invest in research infrastructures, an essential condition for maintaining its competitive capacity and attracting high-level researchers. The two new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers purchased with the contribution of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region are especially noteworthy, as is the economic support of Fondazione CRTrieste, Fondazione Beneficentia Stiftung and Fondazione Benefiche Alberto e Kathleen Casali. In the near future, the University will enhance the direct hiring of renowned teaching staff, including some winners of prestigious ERC and FIS calls, and participation in international competitive calls. 

Innovative teaching

The constant increase in student enrolments is also due to the constant updating of the course catalogue. In 2026 UniTS will offer a new course dedicated to the Education for Mathematics and Physics, for training future teachers. The first open and massive open online courses (MOOC) will also be launched, included in a digital catalogue, thus expanding the forms of learning and updating opportunities for graduates and professionals. 

Commitment to innovation in teaching is one of the challenges ahead. This is a cultural challenge that will respond to the generational change of students, their cognitive styles and expectations, combining the potential offered by digitalisation with new technologies and AI. This particular innovation will challenge teachers to review traditional patterns, models and practices.

Ambassador D’Alessandro also wished the student community well for the new academic year, while recalling her institutional role in a place that is a symbol of collaboration: ‘Our job as diplomats in France is ultimately this: not only to promote the interest of Italy in its many forms, but also to keep the harmony between two of the most important countries in the world, to make it an engine of Europe and the West and, in so doing, to help offer young people – starting with those who study at this university, to whom I wish from the bottom of my heart, as well as all of you teachers, an excellent academic year – a horizon of peace, freedom and shared opportunities.’

The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Trieste, Roberto Dipiazza, and the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Massimiliano Fedriga, the president of the Student Council, Morgan Baliviera, and the representative of technical and administrative staff, Salvatore Dore.  The keynote lecture was given to Renata Longo, Professor of Physics for Life Sciences, Environment and Cultural Heritage of the Department of Physics, ‘Beyond Grey: the colours of the X-rays’. 

Vocal and instrumental performances by the Choir and Orchestra of the University of Trieste, conducted by conductor Riccardo Cossi.

During the ceremony, deserving students and first-year students were also awarded, thanks to contributions from the Fondazione Università degli Studi di Trieste (FUST) and the Fondazione CRTrieste.

In the week celebrating International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3rd December), UniTS announces the results of the ‘Inclusive Tourism for Everyone’ Hackathon, promoted as part of the European Shaping Inclusive Tourist Experiences (SITE) project funded by the Interreg Italy-Croatia Programme 2021-2027.

The SITE project is coordinated by Lorenzo Castelli, associate professor of Operational Research at the Department of Engineering and Architecture (DIA) of the University of Trieste, in collaboration with the Trieste Inclusion and Accessibility Lab (TrIAL) research group, led by Ilaria Garofolo, full professor of Technical Architecture at the same department.

The aim of SITE is to increase the attractiveness of destinations in the programme area throughout the year by spreading a cross-border culture of Universal Design in the tourism ecosystem, thereby reducing the architectural, sensory and communication barriers that limit access for people with disabilities and other groups with specific needs, such as families and the elderly.

The Hackathon, moderated by Caterina Vidulli, founder of Central Marketing Intelligence and communication manager of the SITE project, was organised by UniTS Trieste together with the Italian and Croatian partners of the project, with the participation of the Municipality of Trieste, Promoturismo FVG, CRIBA FVG, INU (Italian Institute of Urban Planning) and the Start-Up Turismo association. 

Thirty-four university students from Italy, Croatia and Slovenia were involved, studying a variety of subjects: architecture, urban planning, languages, tourism management, social sciences and computer science. Among the mentors who supported and guided the work were experts in environmental accessibility, easy language, tourism marketing, sociologists and representatives of Cooperativa Oltre Quella Sedia.

Over the course of two days, participants were asked to develop innovative ideas and solutions that integrate the principles of universal design, with the aim of designing tourist experiences that are truly welcoming, accessible and enjoyable for everyone: people with disabilities, families, the elderly and visitors with limited language skills. The multidisciplinary groups collaborated in an atmosphere of strong creativity and problem-solving, bringing together technical, design and social skills.

A particularly significant moment was the guided tour of the city, conducted by PromoTurismo FVG with the participation of CRIBA FVG and the Cooperativa Oltre Quella Sedia. The experience allowed the teams to observe the urban context of Trieste first-hand and identify some of the main critical issues experienced by tourists when travelling around the city. 'The tour offered participants a concrete look at the difficulties that many visitors encounter on a daily basis. This is where truly attentive and inclusive tourism can begin,' says Paola Pascoli, representative of CRIBA FVG.

The winning projects

1st place – 'PathMate'

The PathMate project proposes an app that accompanies the user, adapting to their needs and enhancing their autonomy. PathMate simplifies travel planning, offers clear, multi-channel navigation and provides useful information on path characteristics and access, such as gradient and surface type. Team: Iftekhar Anwar (Computer Science, Polytechnic University of Turin), Arsenii Prostakov (Languages, ‘Federico II’ University of Naples), Anastasija Ristova (Urban Planning, University of Ljubljana), Lucija Oštarić (Tourism Management, Rijeka), Alessia Gaia Russo (Communication Design, Polytechnic University of Milan).

2nd place – ‘APO – All Paths Open’. 

A participatory system that connects tourists with disabilities or specific needs to residents who share the same condition, with the aim of building a safe, informed, sensitive and involved community. Team: Patricia Ivančić (Social Sciences, University of Rijeka), Eleonora Lazarova (Urban Planning, University of Ljubljana), Jana Krivošić (Tourism Management, Rijeka), Alessandra Airaudo (Digital Marketing, Unicusano).

3rd place – 'TourAble'

An app designed to make tourism truly accessible thanks to its inclusive, intuitive and adaptive design. TourAble encourages citizens' awareness of accessibility issues and offers barrier-free routes, activities for families and information dedicated to people with visual and cognitive disabilities. Team: Daniyar Yegeubay (Computer Science, ‘Federico II’ University of Naples), Ester Calenda Casarin (Languages, ‘Ca' Foscari’ University of Venice), Pia Ržen (Architecture, University of Ljubljana), Korina Zorić (Tourism Management, Rijeka), Marianna Capriotti (Tourism Management, University of Perugia).

‘Participating in the Inclusive Tourism for Everyone Hackathon of the SITE – Interreg ITA CRO 2021-27 project was a valuable experience, both professionally and personally. Seeing so many young people from the world of tourism working with competence, curiosity and a sense of responsibility towards a more accessible future was deeply motivating,’ said Annalisa Novacco of Willeasy, one of the members of the jury. ‘At Willeasy, we enthusiastically accepted the invitation from the Startup Turismo association, whom I sincerely thank for highlighting the role of accessibility within the programme. On this occasion, I had the honour of representing Willeasy, as a member and delegate for accessible tourism issues, helping to bring the voice of those who work every day for a more inclusive sector. Presenting the awards to the winning teams was a symbolic but significant gesture: the dialogue between those who are working today to make the world more inclusive and those who will be able to transform this vision into new standards tomorrow is the real strength of an evolving sector. The commitment and sensitivity shown by the participants confirm that innovation and attention to people are not parallel tracks, but the same direction. This is the energy needed to build a tourism industry that is capable of welcoming, understanding and truly including everyone.

The jury also included professors Ilaria Garofolo (DIA, University of Trieste) and Jelena Durkin Badurina (FTHM, University of Rijeka); Roberta Gigli, representative of the Forum of Adriatic and Ionian Cities; and Erika Kosic, representative of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in its quality of joint secretariat of the Italy-Slovenia programme.

The other projects

The other projects presented offered diverse solutions but were united by a single inclusive vision: from the creation of universally accessible, comfortable, free, temporary modules equipped with information screens (the ‘Your Pod Stop’ project) to the development of a certification protocol for diversity-conscious services (the ‘Inclusive Tourism’ project). An app designed to connect tourists and residents with similar needs (the ‘Help’ project) and an inclusive travel platform that generates personalised maps using content verified by artificial intelligence and real data from social media (the ‘AllWays’ project) were also presented.

In addition to cash prizes for the three best projects (€ 4,000 for first place, € 2,000 for second place and € 1,000 for third place), funded by the Start-Up Turismo association, the winners will have access to mentoring sessions with the association and SITE project partners, and will be invited to the project's final international conference, to be held in Opatija (Croatia).

The Hackathon ended with a shared understanding that designing more inclusive tourism means contributing to the development of more open, welcoming and sustainable communities.

The two-day ELECTRIC SHIP SUPER STORAGE EVENT that was part of the V-ACCESS project concluded in Trieste on 3rd December. The event focused on shipboard electrification through the use of innovative technologies, such as superconductors and supercapacitors for energy storage and was attended by all the companies and university research units involved in the project.

The V-ACCESS project, coordinated by the University of Trieste, is dedicated to the development of a new generation of hybrid energy storage system (HESS), combining superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) technology based on magnesium diboride (MgB2) with supercapacitors.

Combining these two technologies to support batteries constitutes a major innovation in terms of both performance and reliability across energy storage and the release of strong energy impulses.

The strength of this technology lies in its uniqueness, and the solution proposed by the project will be applied not only in shipping and ship electrification but also in energy-intensive industrial sectors. In addition, innovation in storage systems will play a key role in power systems and will also be essential to balance energy production and consumption in electricity grids in response to the increasing integration of renewable sources and the needs of the green deal.

The V-Access project has been financed with European funds for a value of € 5,000,000 and is optimised to integrate with battery systems on board vessels. The advantage of the solution designed as part of the project lies in the hybrid management of a superconducting SMES accumulator and supercapacitors. The SMES accumulator is made of MgB2 and was designed and built by ASG Superconductors, while the supercapacitors were designed and built by Skeleton as part of a project that also involves Fincantieri, VARD, RINA, RSE, SINTEF, the universities of Trieste, Genoa and Birmingham and Politecnico di Milano.

SMES superconductor technology is ideal for short-term, high-power energy storage, perfect for power modulation and instantaneous voltage stabilisation. Supercapacitors, on the other hand, are electrostatic storage devices that offer very fast power delivery and absorption (high power density) and have an extremely long service life (millions of cycles). The hybrid interaction of these technologies with traditional batteries, in addition to extending their use cycle, allows for innovative load management and therefore the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Tests on the SMES superconducting system created by ASG Superconductors and the Skeleton supercapacitors were carried out at the Electric TEst Facility (ETEF), the testing laboratory for applications of electrical energy systems in marine environments, born from the partnership between the University of Trieste, Wärtsilä and Fincantieri as part of the Italian General Secretariat of Defence’s national scientific and technological research programmes.

Giorgio Sulligoi, a full professor at UniTS, stated that ‘ETEF is the flagship project at Trieste’s experimental facilities, a hub where academic and industrial researchers work together to define the future of electric vessels.’ He went on to conclude that ‘the synergy between companies and the academic world behind the V-Access project has already made tangible steps towards hybrid electrification technology that will be useful and necessary not only in the shipping sector but in all applications that require large and rapid energy pulses.’

Pietro Tricoli of the University of Birmingham and technological coordinator of the project, added ‘the supercapacitor and superconducting SMES prototype has been tested in a highly realistic operational environment, aiming for a technological readiness level (TRL) of 5, a step ahead of future developments linked to projects for the development and installation of this technology on board the ship. ‘

Gianluca Bertossi, Managing Director of Wärtsilä Italia said: ‘The ETEF prototype is an important research and technological de-risking infrastructure for the on-board electrical systems of future vessels. It makes the pursuit of similar objectives equally possible for land-based applications that share similar requirements for power quality, quality of service and reliability. There is no system in Europe with comparable performance in terms of installed power, technological characteristics, performance and testing capabilities.’

Marco Nassi, CEO of ASG concluded: ‘the V-ACCESS project presented all of us with a challenge and we thank all the partners for the work that has led to the successful testing of our SMES at the invaluable ETEF. We believe that superconducting storage is a high-tech solution that is ideal for meeting the innovation and resilience needs of networks.’

161 PhD students enrolled in the 41st cycle of UniTS doctoral schools, a growing trend also thanks to foreign students, who reach 20% of the total. The proportion of women/men is almost even, with the constant increase in the number of female students choosing this path.

These are the numbers published during the welcome event for the new UniTS PhD students.

After the welcome speeches of the Rector (Donata Vianelli), the FVG Regional Councilor for Employment, Training, Education, Research, Universities and Family (Alessia Rosolen) and the FVG Central Director for Higher Education (Ketty Segatti), the second edition of the PHD Innovation Award took place. Thanks to funding from the CRTrieste Foundation, the five PhDs who produced the best thesis in 2025 were awarded a prize of € 3000 each.

Designed to celebrate the merit, innovation and creativity of young researchers, this year the award went to 5 young people evaluated among 70 candidates by a committee of experts from the three major sectors of the European Research Council (ERC): Physical Sciences and Engineering, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities.

The winners describe their thesis as follows:

Alice Biasin (Doctorate in Chemistry): ‘Incorporating experimental pharmacology to chemical and material engineering, I investigated the effectiveness of innovative drugs against liver fibrosis, a disease still untreated. A further distinctive element of the research lies in the development of advanced hydrogel-based in vitro models with viscoelastic properties that reproduce those of the healthy and fibrotic liver. The results obtained show that ubiquitinase inhibitors significantly reduce fibrosis in vitro.’

Giorgia Nadizar (Doctorate in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence): ‘I have studied how processes typical of natural organisms (e.g. neural plasticity and morphological development) can result in new mechanisms to increase the flexibility and performance of robots. In parallel, I designed transparent and easily understandable controllers that could match the performance of the most complex models. Finally, I have integrated these two directions for the first time, showing that it is possible to obtain robots that are both biologically plausible, adaptable and interpretable.’

Francesco Piazza (Doctorate in Nanotechnology): ‘My thesis introduces agarose biomaterials with controllable mechanical properties to study how cells respond to mechanical signals. The most innovative result is the identification of viscoplasticity as a new key parameter regulating cell adhesion. This approach proposes a new paradigm in the field of mechanobiology and opens up new directions for the design of biomaterials and in vitro models.’

Mattia Pozzebon (Doctorate in History of Societies, Institutions and Thought. From the Middle Ages to Today): ‘Through the study of scenarios ranging from the present to the farthest future and through the combination of ethical analysis, philosophical imagination and comparison with other disciplines, the aim of the thesis was to ethically assess whether the use of genetic modification techniques on animals can contribute to reducing their suffering and improving their quality of life.’

Loris Luciano Viteritti (Doctorate in Physics): ‘My thesis explores new methods for understanding particularly complex quantum materials, in which interactions between particles give rise to “exotic” states of matter, such as quantum spin liquids. To overcome the limitations of traditional methods, an innovative approach has been developed that uses artificial neural networks to represent and study these systems. Thanks to a new optimisation technique, the research allows to analyse extremely difficult models, obtaining more accurate results than conventional methodologies.’

The ceremony was chaired by Francesco Longo, Rector’s Delegate for Doctorates. Among the guests there were Francesco Peroni (Vice President of the Board of Directors of Fondazione CRTrieste), Maria Pia Abbracchio (University of Milan), Gianfranco Pacchioni (University of Milan-Bicocca) and Bernardo Balboni (University of Modena and Reggio Emilia).

A delegation of representatives from the six of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) – TWAS Centres of Excellence https://twas.org/cas-twas-centres-excellence visited UniTS, where they were welcomed by Rector Donata Vianelli, her Delegate for International, Elisabetta De Giorgi, Vice-Rector for Research Paolo Fornasiero, Head of the MIGE Department and Prof. Stefano Di Bella of the Department of Medicine. The delegation was accompanied by Prof. Knobel, Executive Director of TWAS.

The CAS-TWAS CoEs represent an important opportunity for researchers to develop their activity in the laboratories of excellence located in Beijing.

In addition to discussing future goals and possible extensions of their ongoing projects, the delegation was able to learn about the reality and opportunities offered by the University of Trieste and the SiS FVG network.

These are the 16 members of the delegation visiting Trieste:

Dongyao WANG, Deputy Director Division of International Organization Programs, Bureau of International Cooperation, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Zhaohui LIN, Professor & Director CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ICCES), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Xiaodong ZENG, Professor & Deputy Director, TWAS Young Affiliate Alumni, CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ICCES), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Chenglai WU, Professor TWAS Young Affiliate, CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ICCES), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Bo HAO, Program Officer for International Cooperation, CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ICCES), Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Chunshan LI, Professor & Director, TWAS Young Affiliate Alumni, The CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Green Technology (CEGT), Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Yang ZHOU, Program Officer for International Cooperation, The CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Green Technology (CEGT), Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Yanping ZHANG, Professor & Director CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology (CoEBio), Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Liu HE, Program Officer for International Cooperation, CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology (CoEBio), Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Likui Wang, Associate Professor CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Science

Wang Liang, Associate Professor CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID), Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Qihui Wang, Professor CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Disease (CEEID)

Deputy Director of the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Fang CHEN, Professor & Director Co-Chair of TWAS Young Affiliates Network, CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Space Technology for Disaster Mitigation (SDIM), Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Lei WANG, Professor CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Space Technology for Disaster Mitigation (SDIM), Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Baiwen Ma, Professor & Director CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Water and Environment (CEWE), Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Jiaoqi Huyan, Program Officer CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Water and Environment (CEWE), Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Speaking at the TOP500 Companies event, organized by NEM – Nord Est Multimedia in the Oceania Hall of the Stazione Marittima, Rector Donata Vianelli highlighted the University's strategic role in the growth of the region, emphasizing that UniTS's trajectory is increasingly linked to the development of the context in which it operates. She also commented on the University's encouraging enrollment figures.

"This year, we are seeing an impressive double-digit growth of 13% in our three-year and single-cycle master's degrees," a figure set to increase "probably to 15%" once medical-area enrollments are completed after the filter semester.

Facing the future challenges of demographic winter, the role of the territory and the dialogue we can establish with companies and institutions become crucial for a university like ours. Vianelli observed that growth will be possible because "the territory is becoming more attractive: the University of Trieste is growing together with Trieste, a city profoundly changed from the past," now more open, international, and eligible as an ideal place to study, work, and live.

However, growth is not just a matter of numbers: "It is not a journey we can manage without a vision, without a strategy, without actions that lead us to growth." For over ten years, the University has been working on attractiveness, aiming to bring young people to Trieste from all over Italy and, increasingly, from abroad.

One of the pillars of this shared growth is the relationship with the business community: in this regard, the Rector cited the work started in 2013 on job placement, building a structured dialogue with companies. There are businesses that "wait for our graduate when needed" and often do not find them, while others "activate a continuous dialogue with the university" and undertake genuine talent acquisition, involving students as early as their bachelor's or master's degrees. This approach helps create value for companies, for the University, and for Trieste in terms of reputation and ability to attract talent.

Within this framework, Vianelli recalled the recently released results on UniTS graduate employment rates, with the University of Trieste being first in Italy in several disciplinary areas, including engineering, architecture, economics, and the pharmaceutical-healthcare sector, and also ranking high in the legal area.

Collaboration with the business world starts with the design of educational offerings through the involvement of company representatives in the stages of establishing and reviewing degree programs. This allows the University to read labor market trends, identify emerging skills, and continuously update teaching activities, ensuring constant adaptation to the needs of the working world.

Alongside placement, entrepreneurial training is an important chapter: Vianelli mentioned the experience of the Innovators Community Lab, the University's laboratory where interdisciplinary groups of students develop business ideas and are supported in defining the project and the business plan, with the backing of external entrepreneurs and professionals.

In her speech, the Rector also addressed the issue of young people's salaries and mobility abroad, where better-paid positions are offered. This is a matter concerning national economic policies and the tax framework, but one which the region can influence by making the living and working environment more attractive to encourage the return of highly qualified profiles.

Vianelli linked this reasoning to the issue of the demographic emergency: universities and businesses are called to devise long-term strategies for investing in human capital and attracting students from Italy and abroad.

A significant point was dedicated to the phenomenon of university dropout. In Italy, the Rector recalled, about a quarter of students abandon their studies, with peaks exceeding 30% in some degree courses. A dropout represents a "failure" for the people involved and for the university, as it can translate into a loss of motivation and a higher risk of unemployment. For this reason, she explained, it is not enough to simply "promote" the University to get enrollments, but constant support must be provided to students, and choices far removed from their aptitudes and passions should be advised against.

In this perspective, the Rector valued the role of the ITS (Higher Technical Institutes) in Friuli Venezia Giulia as partners in building an integrated educational system. The collaboration focuses on two main axes: joint orientation, to guide young people toward the most suitable path, and the exchange of competencies, involving UniTS lecturers in ITS teaching and the use of ITS labs for shared educational activities.

"We can achieve great results by making the entire education system and the productive system collaborate," she concluded.

The Precious Papers exhibition promoted by the University Museum Services of the University of Trieste (SmaTS) will start on Thursday 13th November at Stazione Rogers at 18:00.  The initiative, carried out as part of the agreement between Stazione Rogers and the University of Trieste, will propose five weekly meetings until11th December to discover treasures from the libraries of the University Library Services and works of art from the collection of the University Museum Services.

The exhibition will start with a speech by Cristina Cocever and Elisa Zilli, librarians of the University of Trieste, who will present the book Keika Zuan, by Keika Hasegawa, an important Japanese artist of the nineteenth century, belonging to the Library of the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprises in Trieste.

The second event will be held by Maria Rosa Mezzi, a librarian at the University of Trieste, and Zeno Saracino, a historian and journalist, who will talk about the Library of the German Gymnasium in Trieste, using Michelangelo Rustia’s 1864 Schiarimenti sull’arte della ginnastica con un avviamento agli esercizi elementari (handbook on the physical education as an art starting from basic exercises).

The following week it will be the turn of Rossella Fabiani, art historian, who, together with Cristina Cocever, will illustrate the drawing book by Sant’Antonio Nuovo di Pietro Nobile kept by the Writers’ Archive of the University of Trieste.

Walter Gerbino, professor at the University of Trieste, will focus on the graphic and pictorial works of Gaetano Kanizsa in the collections of the University Museum Services.

At the end of the exhibition, Massimo De Grassi, a professor at the University of Trieste, and Serena Paganini, an art historian, will present the fund of the artist Dino Predonzani, donated by his heirs to the University of Trieste.

Free entry

PROGRAMME

Thursday 13 November, 6 p.m.

‘The library of the Institute for the Promotion of Small Enterprises and its treasures’

Cristina Cocever and Elisa Zilli  

Thursday 20 November, 6 p.m.

‘Ding physical education in 19th-century Trieste: between SGT and German Gymnasium’

Maria Rosa Mezzi, Zeno Saracino

Thursday 27 November, 6 p.m.

‘The drawing book by Sant’Antonio Nuovo di Pietro Nobile in the Fonda Savio Archive’

Rossella Fabiani, Cristina Cocever

Thursday 4 December, 6 p.m.

‘Gaetano Kanizsa and the practice of self-organisation’

Walter Gerbino

Thursday 11 December, 6 p.m.

‘The Predonzani donation to the University of Trieste’

Massimo Degrassi, Serena Paganini

The University of Trieste and illycaffè S.p.A. have signed a new framework agreement that strengthens and renews their long-standing collaboration for the four-year period 2025-2029. The agreement, signed by Rector Donata Vianelli and Alessandro Benedetti, Director of Research and Innovation at illycaffè, aims to promote joint activities in applied research, training, innovation and technology transfer.

‘The future of our University must be shaped by increasingly close relations with the local area, at both a strategic and operational level: the renewal of the agreement with illycaffè is an important step for us, strengthening and developing our long-standing collaboration with one of the most important companies in our region,’ commented Rector Vianelli.

The partnership, which has been active since 2004, is based on a shared vision: to integrate academic and industrial expertise to generate excellent results, with a concrete impact on the world of work and scientific progress.

The new agreement provides for the development of projects in strategic areas such as:

• Coffee sciences: sensory, chemical, biological and biochemical aspects
• Technologies and production processes: processing, packaging, sustainability
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: quality modelling, decision-making systems
• Cybersecurity in the food supply chain
• Coffee economics and marketing
• Language support and document translation

The multidisciplinary nature of the agreement involves the participation of numerous departments of the University, in particular those of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, Engineering and Architecture, Economics, Business, Mathematics and Statistics. 

There will also be numerous opportunities for students and researchers, such as traineeships, doctoral scholarships and research grants funded by illycaffè, as well as visits and internships in the company's laboratories and the Padriciano Research Area. These experiences will offer not only high-level educational opportunities but also concrete professional prospects.

The activities will be coordinated by a Scientific Committee composed of university professors and researchers from illycaffè, with the task of defining strategic guidelines, monitoring projects and promoting joint initiatives.

Four UniTS lecturers will be among the protagonists of Focus Live 2025, an event scheduled to take place in Milan from 7th to 9th November, promoted by the magazine ‘Focus Live’, which brings science to the general public in an accessible and entertaining way.

Vanessa Nicolin, Katia Rupel and Alex Buoite Stella, from the Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, and Mattia Zulianello, from the Department of Political and Social Sciences, will be among the speakers at the three days of events, meetings, workshops, shows and interactive experiences at the Leonardo da Vinci National Museum of Science and Technology.

This year's programme offers a journey through different scientific disciplines, where passion – this year's theme – will be the common thread linking science, sport, art and music. Topics covered will include Samantha Cristoforetti's passion for space, revolutionary gene therapies, artificial intelligence, the chemistry of chocolate, the atlas of emotions, 90 years of Schrödinger's cat and prehistoric reptiles brought back to life. 

Researchers from the University of Trieste will be the speakers at two talks in which they will reveal what could happen if the superpowers of comics became scientific reality and explain what populism is through games and challenges.

UniTS Talks at Focus Live (free admission, booking required on the official website)

7th November at 12:30

ANATOMY OF SUPERPOWERS

What would happen if the superpowers of comics and films became scientific reality? How would super strength or the ability to fly really work? Starting from curiosity and mixing fantasy and science, we will analyse superpowers through the lens of human anatomy and physiology. From super speed to regeneration, which mechanisms of the human body could be ‘enhanced’ to bring us closer to these incredible imaginary powers? A surprising journey where science meets imagination, to understand the limits – and potential – of our organism.

With Vanessa Nicolin (Human Anatomy), Katia Rupel (Oral Diseases) and Alex Buoite Stella (Physiology).

8th November, 13:00

POPULISM BETWEEN MYTH AND REALITY

Populism is often described as the absolute evil of politics or, conversely, as the only true voice of the people. But how true are these statements? Populism seems an elusive phenomenon, difficult to define precisely, yet it has typical characteristics that make it recognisable. In this interactive talk, we will test the most widespread beliefs about the phenomenon, separating facts from simplistic narratives. Not only will we debunk the myths, but we will also clearly explain what populism really is, what its distinctive elements are and how it manifests itself in different political and social contexts. Through games and challenges, the audience will discover how populist actors build their success, what strategies they use and what real effects they have on politics.

With Mattia Zulianello (Political Science).

From 3rd to 8th November, Vitiligo Week will be held throughout Italy, an initiative promoted by SIDeMaST to raise awareness and support people affected by this condition. During the week, over a thousand free consultations will be available in 40 dermatology centres in Italy, including the Dermatology Clinic and STD Centres of the University of Trieste and ASUGI.

In Trieste, consultations will be held on 7th November from 15:00 to 17:30 in the Dermatology Clinic and STD Centre of the Maggiore Hospital, Infectious Diseases Building, 4th floor. 

To book a free consultation during Vitiligo Week, please call the toll-free number 800226466, available Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00.

Professor Iris Zalaudek, full professor of Skin and Venereal Diseases at UniTS and head of the Dermatology Clinic and STD Centre, emphasises the importance of the initiative: ‘Vitiligo is a chronic, non-infectious skin disease characterised by white patches often located on visible areas such as the face or hands. It is precisely the visibility of the disease that often causes feelings of stigmatisation, shame, depression, anxiety or social withdrawal in those affected. For this reason, we at the Dermatology Clinic in Trieste are participating by offering free medical consultations during Vitiligo Week, sponsored by the Italian society of dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases (SIDeMaST).’