The fifth edition of the Ingenio al femminile Award, a celebration of female talent, has selected UniTS PhD student Giulia Saccomano as winner of the ‘Best doctoral thesis’ category for her work ‘From pixels to diagnosis: applications of X-ray Virtual Histology (XVH) in clinical pathology’.

Supported by the Italian National Council of Engineers and designed to foster women’s talent and representation in engineering, this year’s award is inspired by the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence meets the challenges of 2050’.

The motivation reads:

‘Traditional histopathological examination provides two-dimensional images due to histological samples’ cut plane. XVH, on the other hand, is a technique that allows high-resolution, non-destructive three-dimensional observations while preserving the structure of the organ under examination. The research work involved the integration of advanced deep learning algorithms to manage and analyse large XVH datasets. Automated organ segmentation in XVH images improves the identification of critical characteristics such as cell architecture and the margins of a tumour mass, while also being able to accurately calculate the values of prognostic markers without the need to physically dissect the affected part. The research has led to the integration between clinical diagnostic imaging of the Department of Pathological Anatomy of Trieste’s hospital and physical-experimental imaging of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, and the application of AI algorithms, in collaboration with the Computational Pathology Group at Radboud UMC (Netherlands), to improve the automatic segmentation of tumour masses and overcome the limits of traditional histopathology.’

The University of Trieste welcomed the visit of the Rector of Alpen-Adria Universität in Klagenfurt, prof. Ada Pellert, to consolidate the close relationship between the two universities in education and research and to open up new opportunities for cooperation on sustainability and public engagement issues. Particular attention was paid to relations with the economic and productive world.

During the meeting, Rector Vianelli recalled the key points of the collaboration with the Austrian university: the exchange agreements in various academic disciplines and departments within the Erasmus+ mobility programme, the joint commitment to the Summer School in Bovec and the joint participation in the activities of the Alps-Adriatic Rectors’ Conference.

There was great mutual interest in working on the future opening of joint courses in entrepreneurship training and in the area of Artificial Intelligence, as well as on the development of greater connections between research and local industries. The commitment to strengthen existing collaborations in the areas of Political Science and International Science, Engineering and Humanities was also confirmed.

What lies behind the enigmatic gaze of the Mona Lisa? What if those eyes, that face, that posture concealed clinical clues that have escaped art historians for centuries? Those slightly averted eyes, the peculiar neck, that unusual posture that have always been interpreted as aesthetic choices, today find a possible explanation thanks to genomic technologies. ‘Art and genetics: diversity as individuality’, a UniTS project funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, presents a free exhibition challenging traditional categories of research dissemination from 3rd to 10th February in six cities in the FVG region.

Icono-diagnostics is at the heart of this project; a discipline that applies medical knowledge to the study of works of art to recognise clinical signs and symptoms in the subjects depicted. It is an approach that affords the opportunity to see masterpieces with fresh eyes. Details that were once considered oddities or aesthetic peculiarities now find possible scientific explanation at the molecular level.

Trieste’s Politeama Rossetti is to become the beating heart of the event, which boasts a rich programme over two days. On Wednesday 4th February, visitors to the Sala Bartoli will mix science and theatre. The programme starts at 16:30 with ‘Interpreting art through genetics: from paintings to the blueprint for life’, a scientific laboratory curated by prof. Giorgia Girotto, lecturer at UniTS Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, during which geneticists, researchers and a special invited guest create an interactive experience for the public. Quizzes, team challenges and observation games make visitors the real researchers as they are asked to identify clues that tell stories of rare diseases and genetic diversity in works of art. At 19:00, participants can watch ‘Imperfect Icons’, a theatrical production written and performed by Diana Höbel that explores a fascinating parallelism between the professions of acting and genetics. Just as the actor observes others to capture their essence, so the geneticist knows how to ‘look’ at the patient to identify anomalies and arrive at a diagnosis. With irony and lightness, Höbel gives a voice to the painted subjects and has them reflect on their own image, revealing how even the most famous subjects hide a deep and surprising humanity.

On Friday 6th February at 16:30, Room 1954 will host ’The perfect imperfection: when illness becomes art’, an artistic laboratory with Giacomo Andrea Faroldi and Francesca Boldrin, written and directed by Paolo Quazzolo with historical and artistic consultation from Massimo Degrassi. Using narrative theatre, two actors will give accounts of famous paintings with the help of images, revealing the relationships between the subjects depicted and hypothesised pathologies, moving outside traditional framings of the paintings to consider the artworks through both art history and medicine. The laboratory’s interactive elements encourage participation and offer the public the opportunity to rediscover well-known artworks from an unprecedented perspective.

The exhibition will travel across the entire region, offering either or both the artistic laboratory and scientific laboratory in different locations: on 3rd February at 16:30 at the Ugo Carà Museum in Muggia (artistic laboratory); on 7th February at 16:30 at the Hall of Hotel Ai Dogi in Palmanova (artistic laboratory); on 8th February at the Teatro San Giorgio in Udine both the scientific laboratory at 16:30 and the theatrical performance ‘Icone imperfette’ at 19:00; on 9th February at Palazzo Coronini Cronberg in Gorizia both the artistic laboratory at 15:00 and scientific laboratory at 17:00; on 10th February at 16:30 at the San Francesco Convent in Pordenone (artistic laboratory).

The project was conceived by UniTS Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences under the scientific lead of Giorgia Girotto, who is also Head of the Genomics and Bioinformatics Laboratory at the Trieste’s Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital. The laboratories all stem from the belief that art and genetics share the same core concept: the study of variation and how unique forms are born from it. Special attention is paid to rare genetic diseases, which through theatre and art emerge from abstraction to become recognisable and deeply human stories. Empathy is the beating heart of the project, instructing participants to go beyond diagnosis to meet the person in their entirety.

The initiative is carried out in partnership with Burlo Garofolo Research Hospital, Stazione Rogers, Immaginario Scientifico Science Museum and Il Rossetti – Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Theatre in collaboration with the Municipalities of Muggia and Udine.

 Programme   

Free admission. Booking required for all events. To book, visit the Eventbrite platform.

You can also book using the QR codes printed in the programme. 

Information: arte.genetica@units.it 

Strengthening the competitiveness of SMEs by developing strategic skills, providing access to qualified services and building cross-border collaborations along the blue-economy value chain: these are the goals of LEAP TO BLUE – Unleash the potential for joint transition in the blue economy, a project under the Interreg Italy–Croatia 2021–2027 Programme presented today at the University of Trieste, which is a partner in the initiative through its Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (DEAMS).

The University of Trieste takes part in the project within a partnership led by the University of Zadar (Lead partner) and also involving Unioncamere del Veneto, ARTI Puglia – Regional Agency for Technology, Technology Transfer and Innovation, the University of Zagreb – FER and the Croatian Chamber of Economy.

LEAP TO BLUE is an OSI – Operation of Strategic Importance, i.e., a strategically relevant cross-border cooperation action selected within the Interreg Italy–Croatia 2021–2027 Programme to address shared needs of Adriatic territories with joint, high-impact solutions. Running for 36 months until June 2028 and with a total budget of about €6.1 million, the project supports the digital and green twin transition of blue-economy companies through an integrated model combining capacity building – training and strengthening skills and organisational capabilities – and matchmaking and networking, i.e., connecting demand and supply and building collaboration networks between companies and innovation ecosystem actors.

“The University of Trieste,” explains Rubina Romanello, Associate Professor of Business Economics and Management and scientific lead for the University, “focuses in particular on upskilling – strengthening existing skills – and reskilling – developing new skills – to support human capital development and foster innovation, sustainability and growth.”

“As lead partner, the University of Zadar will be the scientific heart of the project,” says Andrea Vitlov from the University of Zadar, Communication Manager of LEAP TO BLUE. “Our goal is to turn research results into practical solutions that help the blue economy grow while keeping our environment healthy. We hope the project will become a blueprint for the future, showing that economic success and environmental sustainability can go hand in hand.”

As an OSI, LEAP TO BLUE is among the Programme’s more structured and financially significant projects, delivered by highly qualified partnerships and oriented towards tangible results, such as piloting new services and solutions and developing joint pathways in strategic sectors for the Adriatic area.

The six project partners will define a service catalogue for companies. Access will be regulated through a voucher scheme with two calls scheduled for autumn 2026 and summer 2027. The services offered to SMEs will focus on internationalisation, advanced training (on digital topics and ESG) and skills upgrading (upskilling) as well as innovation and technology transfer, with the aim of supporting companies through ongoing transitions and strengthening their competitiveness.

“LEAP TO BLUE supports blue-economy SMEs by providing, through a combination of vouchers and dedicated initiatives, fast access to specialised expertise, skills and cross-border partnerships that drive innovation and market growth,” states Jelena Grancarić Milin, Head of the Technology Transfer Department at the University of Zadar.

“The project,” Romanello continues, “has nearly €3 million available to fund 162 vouchers, with an average service value of €18,000 per company. The University of Trieste will be able to allocate more than €400,000 to support training and skills development pathways with a digital and environmental focus.”

Following the official presentation to the media, the University of Trieste will host in the afternoon the regional workshop “LEAP TO BLUE: Opportunities and Services for SMEs in the Blue Economy” to explore the project’s tools, services and opportunities and contribute to shaping an offer that genuinely matches companies’ needs.

The event is aimed at the project’s target audience: small and medium-sized enterprises operating in blue-economy sectors and actors in education, research and innovation support. “The workshop,” clarifies Guido Bortoluzzi, Vice Rector for relations with businesses and the territory at the University of Trieste, “is designed to bring SMEs and local stakeholders together and collect active feedback to define a service catalogue that meets companies’ needs, both in terms of content and access procedures.”

The event also includes an in-depth session on the main challenges for SMEs, with contributions – among others – from Francesco Venier, professor at the University of Trieste and MIB and an expert in organisational innovation; Carlo Poloni, professor at the University of Trieste and President of ESTECO; Luca Braidotti, professor at the University of Trieste and CEO of Sipeom Srl; and Bostjan Lozer, strategic advisor on business models.

The UniTS Gorizia campus continues to prove its appeal: over 430 young people flocked to the campus in Via Alviano 18 to attend the presentation of the University of Trieste's course catalogue in the Isonzo area.

The degree courses in International and Diplomatic Sciences, Healthcare, Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety, and Architecture, backed by excellent employment results, attracted students not only from the local area but also from outside the region and abroad.

The University Prospective Students Office provided visitors with enrolment information, organised presentations of each degree course and teaching laboratory in Gorizia.

‘Next steps for a sustainable future’ (Orientarsi a cambiare in mondo, per un futuro sostenibile) has kicked off for 2026. The NRRP programme, delivered by the Prospective Student Support and School Liaison Unit at the University of Trieste, offers free courses on environmental, economic and social sustainability.

2,409 third-year students from 16 regional high schools will take part in the first module of the outreach project, which will run across a number of days until 23rd January. In this first module, participants watch a performance of Il Valzer della bugia (The Waltz of Lies), put on by Teatro Bandito. The piece is a monologue by and with Francesca Zoccarato, an actress and UniTS alumna, and was inspired by the book La bugia che salvò il mondo (The lie that saved the world) by Nicoletta Bortolotti.

The performance is staged in the Old Port’s Sala Luttazzi and tells the story of Giovanni Borromeo, head of the Fatebenefratelli Hospital in Rome, who in 1938 invented an inexistent disease, K's disease, to save many Jews from deportation.

A strong theme that invites a deep reflection on the theme of ‘choice’.

At the end of the performance, two psychologists (Alan Mattiassi e Anna Di Francia) guide the students to discover themselves, their emotions and the value of error in the process of choice.

‘The first of the 4 modules clears the way for discussing outreach themes. We do not talk about degree courses, but we want to equip students with a vocabulary and grammar for choice, imagining not only that in their future there may be a university course, but also thinking about all those easy or difficult choices that each of us makes every day. In the other NRRP modules we will talk about environmental, social and economic sustainability, but with this first module we dive into the world of theatre and games,’ explains Elisabetta Madriz, the Rector's Delegate for Prospective Student Policies. ‘In the first part of the module, we watch Francesca Zoccarato’s monologue. Immediately after, the actress dialogues with the students on the topics that came up in the monologue, thus starting to build up a lexicon around choice, a lexicon that includes fatigue, fear, pause, fellow travellers, hopes, dreams, targets, goals, resilience, loneliness, presence. In the second part, there is space for play. With two psychologists, everyone participates in a game that helps with choice exercises. The game is ultimately emblematic of life, of deciding which side to stand on and why, of making conscious choices and being responsible for ourselves and for the large and small communities which we are part of.’

The second and third modules will start in February and will take place in UniTS classrooms. They will consist of lectures held by university professors on environmental, economic and social sustainability.

The NRRP programme will conclude with a final meeting in the participating schools. In this meeting, university outreach will be introduced alongside testimonies from tutor students.  

Luca Bertoni, University of Trieste’s Energy Manager, has won the special mention of FIRE Award from the Italian Federation for the Rational Use of Energy (Federazione Italiana per l’uso Razionale dell’Energia - FIRE).

The award is the result of more than ten years of work at the University, which chose to join the CONSIP SIE2 Convention 13 years ago and, thanks to careful management, has led to a reduction of approximately 40% in UniTS's thermal and electrical consumption.

This result was achieved thanks to the valuable work of the university's technical units.

From 1 January 2026, the University of Trieste will have a new Director General: Marco Porzionato.

Formerly a senior manager at the University of Padua and Director General of the University of Basilicata from November 2023 until 31 December 2025, Porzionato will take over as Director General of UniTS for the three-year period 2026-2028. 

During his career, he has previously worked at the Italian Ministry of the Treasury, at the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) / State General Accounting Department and at Ca' Foscari University in Venice. He has an undergraduate degree in Political Science, a second-level master in University and Research Management and a specialisation diploma in European Community Law and Economics.

Porzionato succeeds Luciana Rozzini, who remains on the University staff as Head of the Financial Division. 

The digital sector of Friuli Venezia Giulia continues to expand and change skin. The Report FVG Digitale 2025 – The international dimension of digital enterprises in Friuli Venezia Giulia, presented by DITEDI – Digital Technologies Industrial District with the contribution of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region and in collaboration with scientific partners University of Trieste, University of Udine and Area Science Park, photographs it.

The report – now in its fifth edition – proposes the annual analysis on the state of the art and prospects of regional ICT companies, dedicating the 2025 deep dive to a strategic theme: the international dimension of the sector, between growth opportunities and structural knots still to be untied.

In 2025, the ICT companies active in Friuli Venezia Giulia are 2,281 and the total settlements reach 3,127, with a growth of +8% compared to 2024. Software and services remain the heart of the ecosystem (over 95% of the sector), while the hardware component – although on more contained absolute values – is the one that records the most marked dynamic in terms of numbers.

On the territorial level, Udine is confirmed as the main regional digital hub, followed by Pordenone, which maintains a relevant profile also thanks to the link with advanced manufacturing and automation. Trieste consolidates a strategic position, supported by its research system and specialization in fields such as data science and advanced technologies. The hub of Gorizia is more contained, with potential linked to the development of cross-border activities connected to GO!2025.

The analysis also signals a positive economic trend but not without pressures: revenues grow, but margins are more compressed, with operating costs and investments increasing. Also on the innovation front, an evolving trajectory emerges, with growth signals indicating a potential still in consolidation.

The 2025 focus highlights how internationalization represents a development trajectory still largely unexpressed for the ICT sector: only a limited share of companies shows a continuous presence on foreign markets.

During the presentation event, Guido Bortoluzzi, professor of Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Trieste and Pro-Rector for relations with companies and the territory, moderated the roundtable with entrepreneurs and managers of the sector, with the participation of Alfa Sistemi, Beantech, EMC Gems, Esteco, MOLO17 and Video Systems.

Taking up the contents emerged in the discussion – dedicated to internationalization – Bortoluzzi emphasized how the IT sector presents a “two-speed” dynamic: strongly global upstream, on the front of platforms and enabling technologies (mainly American), and much more local downstream, in the market of providers and system integrators, often concentrated on the customization of solutions developed by large players. The roundtable, he observed, however confirmed that concrete models of international opening exist: from companies with very vertical products and business models – which are born already with a global projection – to “piggyback” internationalization, when the supplier follows the expansion abroad of its clients (for example by opening a branch near a new plant). Overall, he concluded, the international propensity of the sector remains moderate on the market, but more driven on the side of suppliers and platforms.

Among the guests of the roundtable also Carlo Poloni, CEO of Esteco. For the first academic spin-off of the University of Trieste “internationalization represents a necessity and a way of being”. “Our market – Poloni explained - has always been that of those who develop sophisticated industrial products regardless of where this happens. While maintaining the central core of development in Trieste, support for customers has always been global”.

The complete report is available on fvgdigitale.ditedi.it

The University of Trieste is approaching the end of the year with a result that places it among the small group of Italy’s highest-performing universities: it has been positioned in the top tier of periodic accreditation, receiving a “Fully Satisfactory” institutional judgement from the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University and Research System (ANVUR).

In the assessments available to date, the highest judgement has been awarded by ANVUR to only four other Italian universities out of 33 evaluated: University of Pavia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UniMoRe), Politecnico di Torino, and Bocconi University.

“I am very proud to share this outcome: UniTS has been placed in the highest evaluation band. It is a third-party, objective assessment that considers the full scope of our activities: teaching, research, public and social engagement, healthcare-related clinical activities, resources and services. It recognises the quality of teamwork that has involved our entire university community,” said Rector Donata Vianelli.

In the Agency’s final report, the University of Trieste achieved the top rating in 86.7% of the focus points (20 out of 23), compared with a maximum of 78.3% (18 out of 23) recorded so far by other universities placed in the same band.

What periodic accreditation is

Periodic accreditation is the assessment through which ANVUR evaluates, at regular intervals, the overall quality of a university: not only outcomes, but also the processes, procedures and organisation that underpin education, research and third mission/social impact activities, together with resource management and services.

Recognised strengths

The report and the good practices highlighted during the accreditation process point to several distinctive elements. Among the most significant is internationalisation, starting with the substantial share of students from abroad (8% of total enrolments in bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in academic year 2024/25, one of the highest figures in Italy), and extending to the educational offer that includes double degrees and joint degrees through agreements with European universities. The evaluation also highlights the active involvement of students in decision-making processes and in the quality assurance system, alongside the recognised contribution of technical and administrative staff.

In addition, the Agency notes the University’s commitment to teaching innovation, including through the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC), and the strengthening of technological equipment in classrooms. In research, UniTS has introduced dedicated support for newly hired researchers: a €10,000 starting grant for those who do not have their own funding.

The evaluation process

The assessment consisted of document analysis and an on-site visit carried out by an Evaluation Experts Committee (CEV) appointed by ANVUR and composed of academics and students. Degree programmes and doctoral programmes were initially reviewed remotely from 5–7 May 2025; the Committee then visited the University from 20 to 23 May 2025 to extend its assessment.

The evaluation covered the University as a whole, a sample of 3 departments (Mathematics, Informatics and Geosciences; Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences; Humanities), 10 first- and second-cycle degree programmes (International Economics and Financial Markets, Physics, Geology, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Law, Medicine and Surgery, Pharmacy, Diplomacy and International Cooperation – Master’s, Computer Engineering – Master’s, Neurosciences – Master’s), and 3 doctoral programmes (Personalised Medicine and Innovative Therapies; Earth Sciences, Fluid Dynamics and Mathematics. Interactions and Methods; Historical, Philosophical and Political-Social Studies).

A path of continuous excellence

Rector Vianelli emphasised the collective nature of this outstanding result and expressed particular thanks to emeritus Rector Roberto Di Lenarda, under whose leadership the evaluation took place, to his governance team—“first and foremost Prof. Gianpiero Adami”—and to the Quality and Strategic Support Staff Unit, which supported the University throughout this phase.

“This excellence judgement,” Vianelli noted, “certifies the robustness of the processes through which UniTS plans, delivers and continuously improves its institutional activities. It strengthens the University of Trieste’s ability to be a reference point for educating students—who in Italy achieve the highest employment rates—for research that is delivering internationally outstanding results, and for social impact through an ongoing dialogue with all local stakeholders, particularly companies, businesses, bodies and institutions. Moreover, success in European calls guarantees the continuous innovation of our infrastructures.

“We are very satisfied with the ANVUR judgement,” concluded Vianelli, who has led the University since 1 August. “In Olympic terms, I would say we have won our gold medal”.