A village fair, a family lunch, a Japanese restaurant, a parish party, a food stall at an alpine gathering, a meeting between fan groups, a farmhouse. How many ways can we unknowingly encounter a foodborne infection?

Starting from these seven realistic scenarios, an educational workshop was developed involving around sixty students from the degree programmes in Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Health Assistance, and Environmental and Workplace Prevention Techniques at the University of Trieste — the latter two run in collaboration with the University of Udine. The activity took place at the University Campus in Gorizia and proposed an interdisciplinary approach to managing foodborne illnesses.

Often underestimated, foodborne infections are caused by the ingestion of food contaminated with viruses, bacteria, or parasites and can lead to severe symptoms. Possible causes include improper food storage, poor handling, environmental contamination, and also the rise of mass catering services and global food flows.

The training activity included a preparatory phase featuring three introductory videos—one for each professional field—followed by guided discussions led by course tutors, group formation, and case assignments. Each scenario was supported by educational materials and photographs, with new elements gradually introduced to simulate the evolving nature of a real-life investigation into suspected cases.

In the afternoon, practical exercises took place, including microscope use for slide analysis, culturing with agar plates, tools for detecting simulated contamination, sample preparation using real minced meat packaging, and simulated phone interviews for gathering epidemiological data. Each student had the opportunity to observe and understand the role of all three professional healthcare profiles, gaining insight into how their skills are interconnected.

The workshop highlighted the complementary roles of biomedical laboratory technicians—responsible for analyzing biological samples; health assistants—focused on prevention and public health promotion; and prevention technicians—tasked with inspections in places where food is produced, processed, or served.

Thanks to the diversity of activities and the integration of different competencies, the training day helped consolidate theoretical knowledge, enhance teamwork, and offer a hands-on experience of the shared responsibilities involved in protecting public health.

The University of Trieste has inaugurated the experimental ‘Community Justice’ multi-service hub: an innovative project that brings together universities, institutions, third-sector organisations and the public to promote social inclusion and restorative justice.

The initiative is the result of an agreement between the University of Trieste and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, with the support of the Italian Ministry of Justice - Cassa delle Ammende. The hub will be housed on the premises of the former Casa del Marinaio in Via Principe di Montfort 3 and represents an important point of connection between the world of criminal law enforcement and the community.

The centre will be the operational hub of the ‘Ripar(t)iamo’ and ‘INclusione, CONfronto, TRAttamento’ projects, which are co-funded by the Region. The projects aim to foster the socio-occupational reintegration of people who are subject to restrictions of freedom during criminal investigations, offering concrete support to crime victims and promoting programmes for restorative justice and victim-offender mediation. This work is in line with the principles of the Cartabia Reform (Italian Legislative Decree No 150/2022), which emphasises restorative justice as a tool for reintegration, reconciliation and empowerment.

The new hub will be open at least three days a week, guaranteeing welcome, support and training activities for people subject to restrictions of freedom during criminal investigations, victims of crime and practitioners. Within the hub, public bodies, third-sector organisations and academic staff will collaborate with the aim of offering innovative services and strengthening the link between institutions and citizens.

The Rector, Prof. Roberto Di Lenarda, the Regional Councillor for Health, Social Policies and Disability, Prof. Giovanni Grandi, and Dr. Gianna Zamaro attended the inauguration.

From 2nd to 3rd May, the 31st Annual Congress of the European Surgical Association (ESA) will take place in Geneva. The event marks the end of Professor Nicolò de Manzini‘s two year term, Director of the Surgical Clinic at the University of Trieste and former Head of the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences.

Founded in 1993, the European Surgical Association brings together some of the most authoritative figures in European and world surgery. The association aims to promote scientific excellence, disseminate research results and foster interdisciplinary dialogue through its annual congress and careful selection of content.

The conclusion of de Manzini's term of office has coincided with a positive outcome: the association has continued to stand out for the high standard of the scientific activities it has promoted, which has seen the presentation of 45 papers selected by prestigious surgical teams, discussed during the congress activity and destined for publication in one of the most authoritative journals in the field.

Among the most significant initiatives promoted this year by de Manzini, the society will open itself up to young surgeons, with the creation of ‘Next Generation ESA’, designed to accompany and enhance the future protagonists of international surgical research.

Internationalisation, multidisciplinary collaboration and openness to young surgeons have characterised this period in the ESA’s evolution, which for the fourth time in thirty years has been led by an Italian surgeon, testimony to the European scientific community’s recognition of Italy.

The University of Trieste and the University of Udine signed a new Framework Agreement together with AUSIR – the Authority for Water and Waste Services in Friuli Venezia Giulia and the region’s leading water and environmental service providers. In addition to AUSIR, the agreement includes the following partners: AcegasApsAmga, Acquedotto del Carso – Kraški vodovod, CAFC, HydroGEA, Irisacqua, Livenza Tagliamento Acque, A&T 2000, Ambiente Servizi, GEA – Gestioni Ecologiche e Ambientali, Isontina Ambiente, MTF, and NET.

The agreement, signed today by all partners in the Predonzani Room of the Regional Government Building in the presence of the President of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, renews and expands the earlier protocol signed in 2019. It reaffirms the shared commitment to collaborate on sustainability and innovation in the management of the integrated water and waste cycle.

The new framework promotes applied research projects, joint advanced training initiatives, participation in competitive funding calls, and the valorisation of shared data, experience, and technical infrastructure.

The University of Trieste brings a strong interdisciplinary approach to the partnership, represented by Professor Paolo Bevilacqua (Department of Engineering and Architecture) and Professor Fabio Barbone (Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences), who serve as the University’s scientific coordinators. The agreement also supports inter-university masters already launched in collaboration with public service providers, including those in ‘Technology and Management of the Integrated Water Cycle’ and ‘Circular Economy and the Integrated Waste Cycle.’

‘This agreement,’ said Roberto Di Lenarda, Rector of the University of Trieste, ‘offers a concrete opportunity to launch new multidisciplinary research capable of addressing the challenges of sustainable resource management in innovative ways. Collaboration will range from the study of aquifer systems and infrastructure networks to wastewater and sludge treatment, from the economic and regulatory analysis of public services to the reuse of waste within a circular economy framework. Just as crucial is our commitment to communication and training, which are strategic levers for raising awareness and driving change at both the technical and societal level.’

Making green hydrogen a more efficient, safe and accessible energy source is the goal of the E4H2 – Efficiency for Hydrogen project, launched by the University of Trieste in collaboration with the University of Udine. The initiative is one of several funded by the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia through its regional call for proposals to support the creation and modernisation of research infrastructure in the field of renewable hydrogen.

Thanks to funding of €2 million from the regional government, the UniTS project will establish a network of four laboratories distributed across the region. Each lab will focus on a strategic stage in the hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to end use.

Researchers will work to improve the efficiency and durability of electrolysers, devices that produce ‘green’ hydrogen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from renewable sources. The project will test innovative storage systems, including cryogenic tanks – specialised containers capable of storing hydrogen in liquid form at extremely low temperatures (down to -252°C) – and high-pressure solutions designed to reduce energy loss during storage and transport.

Significant efforts will also be devoted to the development of more efficient and longer-lasting fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity without releasing pollutants, as well as to the definition of operating protocols aimed at improving the overall efficiency of the process. Another key objective will be safety, with the new network enabling researchers to identify critical issues and propose solutions to ensure increasingly reliable hydrogen use.

‘The infrastructure,’ explains Rodolfo Taccani, Professor of Machinery at the University of Trieste and scientific lead of the project, ‘will allow for the testing of devices at various levels, from individual components to pilot-scale systems. It will combine experimental research with advanced simulation models, including those based on artificial intelligence. The data collected will support better maintenance, lower costs and greater sustainability across the system.’

E4H2 represents a major step in building a regional green hydrogen supply chain, fully integrated into the broader cross-border framework of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley. It will foster connections between universities, research centres and businesses in support of the energy transition and decarbonisation.

As part of the wider regional funding programme for renewable hydrogen research infrastructure, the University of Trieste is also participating as a partner in three additional projects. The research teams are led by Rodolfo Taccani (Department of Engineering and Architecture), Alessandro Baraldi (Department of Physics) and Lorenzo Bonini (Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Geosciences). The total funding awarded to these projects amounts to €3.5 million out of the 11 million allocated by the regional authority, making the University of Trieste the leading research institution in Friuli Venezia Giulia in this area of energy transition.

From 9th to 11th April, the future of European research on hydrogen will be discussed in Trieste as part of the 2025 edition of EPHyC (the European PhD Hydrogen Conference), which will be hosted at the Generali Convention Center and Warehouse 26 in the Old Port.

EPHyC will be organised by the University of Trieste in cooperation with Hydrogen Europe Research, Europe's leading hydrogen research organisation, which brings together over 150 international universities and research centres. The event will welcome PhD students from all over the European Union who are engaged in innovative projects related to clean fuel.

Over 150 young researchers from 85 academic institutions and research centres from 21 European countries will meet in Trieste for three days of scientific discussion. The initiative is part of the development of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV), a strategic project which aims to accelerate the energy transition and is promoted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, Slovenia and Croatia.

EPHyC 2025 stands out for its innovative format, in which PhD students themselves will organise and coordinate the scientific sessions, presenting their studies with the aim of receiving feedback, stimulating interdisciplinary collaborations and instigating new avenues of research.

The topics covered in the conference will discuss the main challenges in the field, from hydrogen production and storage to economic and regulatory aspects. Representatives of energy companies are also expected to attend, interested in both the conference content and the profiles of the participating young researchers.

The opening of EPHyC 2025 will be held on Wednesday, 9th April, at 9:00, in the Luttazzi Hall of Warehouse 26. Institutional greetings, the presentation of the partners involved and keynote lectures will be delivered by international experts such as Mirela Atanasiu, former Executive Director of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the partnership involving the European Commission. At 10:30 in the sala dei Curatori curators' room of the Civic Maritime Museum there will be a presentation of the projects financed under the regional notice dedicated to the support, creation, and modernisation of research infrastructures in the renewable hydrogen sector, for which the Region will allocate EUR 11 million.

Within this framework, the University of Trieste is reaffirming its commitment to clean fuel research, an area in which it has been active with international working groups and European projects dedicated to the development of hydrogen technologies for over twenty years. Research activities, both theoretical and applied, take place in a multidisciplinary context, involving engineers, chemists, physicists, geologists and lawyers, in collaboration with public and private partners. With this in mind, UniTS was one of the first Italian universities to join the Hydrogen Europe Research network.

The commitment of the University of Trieste also extends to education in the field of energy transition. The Engineering for the Energy Transition master's degree course has been active since last year, is entirely in English, and aims at training professionals capable of managing the transition to clean and renewable energy in the civil and industrial sectors.

‘The organisation of EPHyC 2025,’ states Professor Rodolfo Taccani, the Deputy Rector for technology transfer and business relations, ’confirms the role of Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia and the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley as an international hub for research and innovation in the sustainable energy sector, thanks also to the contribution of the University of Trieste. The conference is not only an opportunity to learn more about research and technology, but also highly symbolic, as it brings together some of Europe's best young scientists engaged in research on energy transition and hydrogen. The University of Trieste, through EPHyC, contributes to outlining a common vision for the future of the European Union in the energy sector, in which theoretical and applied research play a fundamental role’.

‘EPHyC 2025 perfectly embodies the mission of Hydrogen Europe Research: to support and connect the European scientific community in order to accelerate innovation in the hydrogen sector. This event gives young researchers the opportunity to present their work, establish new collaborations and lay the foundations for the next generation of scientists and innovators. We are proud to support this initiative, which strengthens the link between academic research and industry, helping to build an increasingly strong and integrated European ecosystem,' states Luigi Crema, President of Hydrogen Europe Research.

The event is also being organised with the contribution of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the patronage of the Italian Thermotechnical Association - Friuli Venezia Giulia Section, the Maritime Technology Cluster FVG and Confindustria Friuli Venezia Giulia.

For further information: www.ephycconference.com

Pietro Monti-Guarnieri, a PhD student in Physics at the University of Trieste and the Trieste Section of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), took third place in the local selection of FameLab, the international competition that sees young talents in popular science competing against each other.

His place on the podium, while rewarding his great passion and enthusiasm for his field of research, will not allow the UniTS PhD student to move forward in the competition. Instead, it will be the young scientists ranked in the top two places, Arshia Ruina and Meriem Behiri, who will advance to the national final.

Physicist Arshia Ruina, who came in first place, is a postdoctoral fellow at lNFN - section of Padua. Her clear presentation and fascinating subject matter focused on the particles that constantly ‘rain’ down on us, delivering endless information about the Universe and its history.

In second place was Meriem Behiri, a PhD student in Astrophysics and Cosmology at SISSA in Trieste, who showed enthusiasm, clarity and passion in her presentation on radio waves and their extraordinary capabilities.

The audience prize, for an audience composed of students from Galilei, Carducci-Dante and Deledda-Fabiani high schools of Trieste and the Buonarroti High School of Monfalcone, went to Denise Khouri Chalouhi from ICGeB, who fascinated all with tales of ‘good’ bacteria.

The contestants convinced a jury composed of Nicola Bressi (Trieste Natural History Museum), Giulia Casasole (SISSA), Emanuela Colombi (University of Udine) and Francesco Longo (University of Trieste) with their presentations, sticking meticulously to the three-minute time limit.

The event, presented by Daniele Tavagnacco, researcher OATs-INAF and University of Trieste, was also enlivened by a talk on artificial intelligence, by Francesco Giacomarra, University of Trieste, winner of FameLab Italia 2023, and an interlude by the Trieste Science + Fiction Festival – La Cappella Underground.

FameLab is an international competition held in Italy since 2012 thanks to Psiquadro, and in collaboration with Cheltenham Festivals and all local partners. For Trieste, these partners are Immaginario Scientifico Science Musuem, the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, SISSA and the Municipality of Trieste, as part of the Trieste City of Knowledge Protocol.

For the first time in its history, the University of Trieste will be led by a female rector: upon the closing of applications, the candidacies of Ilaria Garofolo and Donata Vianelli have been officially submitted. One of these two professors will assume the highest academic position for the next six years.​

The elections will be held—for the first time electronically—with a first round scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. If neither candidate achieves an absolute majority of eligible votes, a runoff will take place on Tuesday, May 13.​

Approximately 1,500 members of the academic community, representing all its components, are entitled to vote. This electorate includes tenured professors and researchers; technical-administrative staff (both permanent and temporary) with weighted voting (20% of the eligible votes of tenured professors and researchers); student representatives elected to the Academic Senate, Board of Directors, University Sports Committee, ARDIS Student Committee, and the ten Department Councils; and research fellows elected to the Academic Senate and the ten Department Councils.​

The new rector will take office on August 1, 2025, and will serve until July 31, 2031.​

The Candidates

Ilaria Garofolo is a Full Professor of Architectural Technology in the Department of Engineering and Architecture, which she directed from 2017 to 2019. Previously, she led the Department of Architectural and Urban Design (2002-2005), served as the Rector's Delegate for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (2015-2017), and was the Rector's Advisor for Building and Energy from 2019 through 2024.​

Donata Vianelli is a Full Professor of Business Economics and Management and, since 2021, Director of the Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences, as well as a member of the Academic Senate. She was the Rector's Delegate for Orientation and Job Placement from 2013 to 2019.

On Tuesday 1st April 2025, Adecco and the University of Trieste will present Work & Study, a project sponsored by FIPE (italian federation of public establishments), designed to offer UniTS students job opportunities that align with their study and class schedules, and exam preparation.

The initiative aims to connect local businesses with student job seekers by providing part-time contracts through the employment agency. These contracts will be limited to a maximum of 15 hours per week, primarily scheduled in the evenings or on weekends.

Students at the University of Trieste will have the opportunity to gain work experience that fits alongside their university studies, enabling them to earn financial support while developing valuable professional skills.

The project, set to run throughout 2025, aims to involve over 200 university students and more than 60 businesses in the municipality of Trieste.

The available positions will primarily include roles in the hospitality sector, such as bartenders and waitstaff, as well as receptionist, hostess, and event steward positions. However, the initiative is expected to expand into additional commercial sectors as it develops.

As part of the project, Adecco will organise a series of informational events to introduce job opportunities in the area and answer students’ questions. The first session will take place online on 2nd April at 17:00 via Microsoft Teams, with additional in-person events to follow.

Immediately after the presentation, an application form will be made available on Adecco’s website. Students will receive full support from Adecco throughout the selection process.

‘Supporting young people and helping them enter the job market has always been one of our key goals,’ explains Michele Kovacic, People Advisor at Adecco Italia. ‘With this project, we aim to build a bridge that allows students to gain work experience while developing skills that will benefit them in their future careers. The Work & Study initiative prioritises security and worker protections: all participants will be employed under fixed-term part-time contracts through our agency, and they will receive training on health and safety at work as well as HACCP certification for food safety protocols.’

‘Students at the University of Trieste take on occasional work at a higher rate than the national average,’ notes Professor Lucio Torelli, Deputy Rector for Educational and Career Counselling, and Job Placement at UniTS. ‘Through this project, the University’s Career Service aims to provide an opportunity for the many students seeking employment that fully accommodates their academic commitments. At the same time, local businesses will benefit from dynamic young professionals skilled in teamwork and languages. According to AlmaLaurea data, our graduates are highly valued in the job market, securing employment more quickly and with higher salaries than the national average. With this initiative, we aim to further enhance our students’ preparedness for the workforce.’

Job opportunities available in the Trieste area will be regularly shared with participants through the university’s official communication channels.

Students interested in joining the first online event and learning more about the project can register on the Career Service webpage under the events section: https://amm.units.it/placement

Generali and the University of Trieste presented an agreement to set up a chair dedicated to Responsible and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence starting from the academic year 2025/2026. 

The announcement was made during an event at the University of Trieste, in the presence of the Rector, Roberto Di Lenarda, the Chairman of Generali, Andrea Sironi, the CFO of the Generali Group and President of Mib, Cristiano Borean, and Professor Scantamburlo, winner of the competition, moderated by Professor Luca Bortolussi – Full Professor of Computer Science at UniTS. 

The agreement will entail Generali covering the expenses for a researcher and the subsequent full-time enrolment as a university professor in the scientific-disciplinary sector INFO-01 / A - IT for the next 15 years, which was recruited at the end of the selection procedure established by the University. 

After the establishment, along with other scientific entities located in Friuli Venezia Giulia region, of the Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Institute with the aim of carrying out world-class research and promoting the transfer of knowledge in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence (an initiative that has instituted the figure of the Business Translator), Generali intends to contribute new research and training tools to understand and address the social and ethical implications related to the development and implementation of AI technologies. 

For this reason, in partnership with the University of Trieste and to mark the important anniversary, Generali will support the new chair that will enhance the university's training offer, as well as developing skills in responsible, reliable and sustainable artificial intelligence in conjunction with the Group's Academy, thus contributing to the design and implementation of special courses designed to train graduates with skills in line with occupational requirements and equipped for the new technological and ethical challenges ahead. 

The Chairman of Generali, Andrea Sironi, stated: “The scientific ecosystem of Trieste has a wealth of talent and knowledge that Generali supports and which, on this special occasion marking the 100th anniversary of the University of Trieste, is boosted by a multi-year collaboration that will set up a new chair. The goal is to invest in young people and in innovation, addressing one of the most stimulating and transformative issues of the contemporary age, Artificial Intelligence, creating an increasingly close dialogue between the academic world and the business environment.” 

The Rector of the University of Trieste, Roberto Di Lenarda, commented: “The University's mission is to preserve and allow human intelligence flourish; AI will have the task of amplifying it. For these reasons, the University of Trieste has prioritised investing in these issues in recent years. Thanks to the further, fundamental investment that Generali has decided to make in favour of the new generations, our educational offer will be enriched by a new teaching in a delicate and strategic field, in line with the emerging needs of a sector that is undergoing great and rapid evolution.” 

Teresa Scantamburlo has worked at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, the University of Bristol (UK), and the European Centre for Living Technology. Her research focuses on the ethical and social impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies. She has contributed to the piloting of the European ethical guidelines for trustworthy AI and is currently a member of the working group for drafting the code of conduct for general-purpose AI at the AI Office of the European Community. In February 2025, she was awarded the new Generali Chair on Responsible AI at the University of Trieste