Institutional

Scientific collaboration between Italy and Serbia is being strengthened. The Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the Serbian Minister of Science, Technological Development, and Innovation, Jelena Begović, inaugurated the second Italy-Serbia Scientific Forum in Trieste at Area Science Park, with the participation of over 100 researchers from both countries. Following a bilateral meeting, the ministers signed a joint declaration confirming the importance of cooperation in research and innovation, based on the MoU signed in Belgrade in 2023, as well as the promotion of researcher mobility, support for joint research programs, and bilateral scientific events. The document also highlighted the great success of the first call for joint research projects focused on the following areas: High Performance Computing and Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Agri-food Technologies, and Sustainable Economy. Over 80 applications were received and are currently under evaluation. The selected projects will be co-financed by both countries (for a total of 2 million euros) at the beginning of 2025. Today’s event continues the path started in March 2023 in Belgrade when Area Science Park participated in the first edition of the Science Forum. In December 2023, during the Innovation Forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the capital between Area Science Park and the science and technology parks of Belgrade, Niš, Čačak, and Novi Sad. This memorandum further develops a longstanding cooperation with Serbia that began in 2015, focusing on technical assistance in the fields of technology transfer and economic development. The goal is to pool scientific and technological capacities, such as those generated by research infrastructures and technological platforms, for example, on topics like life sciences, energy transition, and innovative materials. “The Italy-Serbia scientific forum represents, for Area Science Park and for the entire Scientific and Innovation System of Friuli Venezia Giulia, an important opportunity to strengthen collaboration between the two countries and create new opportunities for the exchange and sharing of knowledge and best practices,” said Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “In particular, for the institution I lead, hosting, and especially participating in the forum, means expanding the areas of exchange and dialogue with research centers, universities, and science and technology parks, with which we have previously developed innovation projects. Today, our attention is focused on research and technological infrastructures, where Area has been investing in recent years, which by their nature are places for aggregation and sharing of knowledge.”

An international forum dedicated to the value and role of large research infrastructures in scientific progress and their economic, social and geopolitical impacts on a global scale. These were the central themes of the G7 conference “Large Research Infrastructures: Synergies and Impact on Science and Society”, organized by the Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) under the Italian G7 Presidency, and held in Sardinia from October 28th to 30th in Su Gologone (Nuoro). The rich three-day program featured four thematic sessions, dedicated to exploring the key role of large research infrastructures in generating knowledge and value for society, promoting the sharing of ideas and best practices among policymakers, researchers, and socio-economic stakeholders. The opening remarks were delivered by the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Alessandra Todde. Among the nationally and internationally prominent speakers was also the President of Area Science Park, Caterina Petrillo, who contributed to the roundtable The Socio-Economic Benefits of Large Research Infrastructures. Here, speakers discussed the role of large infrastructures: not only centers for scientific knowledge production and high-quality FAIR data, but also true catalysts of innovative processes, which include training new generations of scientists, transferring technology to industry, and fostering regional development. During her speech, the President highlighted the importance of integrating these infrastructures into innovative ecosystems, scientific, and technological hubs, both public and private, where collaboration and shared projects can thrive. The objective of the G7 Conference on Large Research Infrastructures: Synergies and Impact on Science and Society is to stimulate dialogue to facilitate collaboration among the G7 countries, in order to optimize resources and maximize the complementarity of these large infrastructures, aiming toward a future of shared and sustainable innovation.  

This conference served as an opportunity for dialogue between G7 countries and the African Union on the subjects of training, research and innovation as tools for building skills. The “Research and Capacity Building with African Countries” conference was organised by the Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with Area Science Park, under the Italian G7 Presidency. Hosted in the enchanting setting of the Throne Room in Miramare Castle, the G7 conference highlighted the importance of developing shared pathways in higher education, knowledge transfer and support for innovation, starting right here in Trieste—a city characterised by a strong presence of international and national scientific institutions that have developed a profound cooperation and presence in various countries across the African continent over the years. “Trieste is an exceptional example of science without borders. For instance, there are four institutions under the auspices of UNESCO, including ICGEB and ICTP,” as Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, explained during her opening remarks, emphasising that “science represents a powerful form of international collaboration”. The discussions centred on the impact of knowledge, through training and research, on ensuring the sustainable development of society and economic growth. The conference featured contributions from high-level members of the G7, the African Union, the European Union and UNESCO, as well as representatives from the private sector. The event concluded with the presentation of success stories in the fields of public health, green transition and research infrastructures. The Research and Capacity Building with Africa initiative was also presented during the meeting. This initiative, which Italy intends to develop with the participation of the G7 universities involved, aims to address the structural challenges hindering the potential of research and innovation in Africa. The G7 Conference on Research and Capacity Building with African Countries took place alongside the Big Science Business Forum (BSBF), an international congress dedicated to highly innovative technologies that represent a market for major research infrastructures.

The third edition of the Big Science Business Forum, hosted by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia at the Generali Convention Center in Porto Vecchio, Trieste, concluded with a symbolic handover led by women. Alessia Rosolen, Regional Minister for Labor, Education, Research, University, and Family for Friuli Venezia Giulia, passed the baton to Jetske Verkerk, Deputy Director of the Directorate for Innovation and Knowledge at the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands, and Marleentje Verstreken, Representative for FIT, the Belgian Regional Agency for International Trade. Among the emotional images from the four intense days and the call for a female-led future in Big Science, the impressive numbers of this Italian edition emerged. The event is Europe’s most important intersection of science, technology, and business, promoted by ten leading European Big Science Business Forum (BSOs): CERN, ESA, ESO, ESS, ESRF, European XFEL, FAIR, F4E, ILL, and SKAO. “Over 1,300 delegates from 500 organizations were welcomed in the Trieste exhibition space, with 163 stands featuring 245 exhibitors and 14 national pavilions. Thirty-two countries were represented, including Italy, and 2040 applications from young students and researchers under 40 were submitted on the EURES platform in the section dedicated to Big Science, gathered from across Europe,” noted Regional Minister Rosolen. The last day of BSBF was dedicated not only to the younger generation but also to the presence of women in Big Science. The plenary session featured speakers such as Ana Aricha from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and University; Agnes Auledas, Senior Engineer, Atkins Realis; Lars Börjesson, CESAER envoy for S&T infrastructures, Chalmers/CESAER; Raffaella Geometrante, Managing Director of Kyma SpA and Kyma Tehnologija doo; Federica Mantovani, Head of Research Infrastructures, Area Science Park; and Lucy Van Der Tas, Talent Acquisition Lead, ESA. “The Big Science Project has enormous potential not only for technological development but also for cultural and social growth, respecting gender equality,” said Francesca Fantini, coordinator of the Women in Big Science Business Forum group and an engineer at F4Energy. Andrea Illy addressed the young audience, encouraging future leaders in research, science, and business to embrace the need for cultural and social regeneration. A concrete example on stage at BSBF 2024 was the Audace Sailing Team, a project launched by a group of Engineering and Economics students from the University of Trieste. Paolo Acunzo, Director of BSBF 2024, concluded: “With the end of BSBF 2024, we have completed a journey that lasted two and a half years, which took us far and firmly established the presence of Big Science in Trieste and Italy, destined to continue over time.” BSBF, following previous editions in Copenhagen and Granada, will be hosted in Maastricht in 2026, in 2024 is hosted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in collaboration with ILO Network Italia, comprising representatives from CNR, ENEA, INAF, and INFN, with Area Science Park in Trieste, PromoTurismo FVG, and promoted by the ten leading European Big Science Organisations (BSOs), including CERN, ESA, ESO, ESS, ESRF, European XFEL, FAIR, F4E, ILL, and SKAO, with support from PERIIA, the pan-European network of Industry Liaison Officers (ILOs). Italy’s bid to host BSBF 2024 received the backing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, and the Ministry of Universities and Research, along with the City of Trieste, the University of Trieste, the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce (Gorizia-Trieste), and the Central European Initiative. The event was hosted by the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in collaboration with ILO Network Italy, consisting of representatives from CNR, ENEA, INAF, and INFN, as well as Area Science Park in Trieste, PromoTurismo FVG, and promoted by ten leading European Big Science Organisations (BSOs), including CERN, ESA, ESO, ESS, ESRF, European XFEL, FAIR, F4E, ILL, and SKAO, with the support of PERIIA, the pan-European network of national ILO – Industry Liaison Officers. The Italian bid to host BSBF 2024 was supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security; and the Ministry of University and Research, as well as the city of Trieste, the University of Trieste, the Venezia Giulia Gorizia Trieste Chamber of Commerce, and the Central European Initiative.

Area Science Park is backing the Ernesto Illy joint Master’s degree programme in Coffee Economics and Science as a partner, encouraged by the course’s unique programme. It takes both a scientific and managerial approach, with a strong emphasis being made on collaboration between the public and private sectors. The course offers specific academic training on the biological, agronomic, technological and economic aspects of going from coffee plant to end product. One of our tasks as an institution is to promote industry training activities, involving the world of business. Area Science Park is a firm believer in universities and research institutes being one of the driving forces behind national scientific research. Their role is to process and convey scientific knowledge, including by encouraging cooperation between the public and private sectors. The other partners in the programme are: the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, the International School for Advanced Studies Trieste (SISSA), illycaffè S.p.A and the Ernesto Illy Foundation. The Master’s course is inspired by Ernesto Illy’s approach, ethics and values, and incorporates his cultural heritage. The aim is to study and pass on his work and ideas, and the moral legacy of his extraordinary innovative spirit. The course is open to graduates from all over the world with a degree in a scientific or technological field, or in the social sciences and humanities. For more general information: master@fondazioneilly.org For more information about the Master’s course: Master’s degree in Coffee Economics and Science – Ernesto Illy Foundation (fondazionernestoilly.org) For more information about the specific programme: MCES-Ernesto Illy – 2021 programme (ENG-ITA) (fondazionernestoilly.org)    

International cooperation and the “North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley” project has been focus in the context of the GeoAdriatico symposium at Area Science Park, organised by the non-profit organisation Vitale. In attendance at the symposium was Ambassador Fabio Cassese, Director General for Development Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, among others. There were two events on the agenda, the first of which was attended by representatives from the ICGEB, OGS, Elettra Sincrotrone and Area Science Park. President Caterina Petrillo opened the meeting in the morning. Marianna Maculan, Head of External Relations at the ICGEB, explained how the ICGEB is an international organisation centred around research, training and technology transfer in the life sciences. It was set up to promote global sustainable development and its work is in line with several of the UN’s 2030 Agenda goals. Sustainable development – through studying the seas and oceans and understanding geological processes – is, in turn, one of OGS’s key missions, as explained by president Nicola Casagli. The OGS is also very active in scientific and environmental diplomacy in many parts of the world. Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste is an international multidisciplinary research centre of excellence, specialising in the generation of synchrotron light and free-electron lasers for studying materials, with applications spanning physics, chemistry, life sciences, environmental sciences, cultural heritage conservation and more. As Chief Scientific Officer Giorgio Paolucci pointed out, internationality is an intrinsic part of the lab’s work, as evidenced by its involvement in the CERIC-ERIC consortium and by the training of researchers from developing countries.  Deputy General Manager Stephen Taylor outlined Area Science Park’s main focuses, including on generating business, implementing innovation processes, and providing cutting-edge technology platforms to science and industry in the fields of genomics, advanced computing services, materials and advanced microscopy, as well as on participating in projects, international networks and innovation diplomacy work. “Area Science Park is based in Friuli Venezia Giulia which is a border region and, as such, has always paid particular attention to international cooperation,” explained Area Science Park President Caterina Petrillo. “This allows for a privileged dialogue with countries in central, southern and eastern Europe which then become natural partners for research and innovation collaborations and projects. One recent example is the work going on to create the ‘North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley’: the first transnational project aimed at developing a dedicated hydrogen valley, involving Croatia, Slovenia and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia”. Ambassador Fabio Cassese stated that, “Trieste’s science hub is an outstanding example of both internal and external cooperation and integration, with an international outlook that demonstrates how science can be a driver of sustainable development for countries around the world, and one which has a positive impact on business and society. Trieste’s multi-level integrated set-up is capable of generating collaborations with the Ministry in various different fields.” The “North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley” project was the subject of an in-depth discussion held in the afternoon, with the participation of representatives from the Slovenian and Croatian governments, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Area Science Park, the University of Trieste, and the Port Authorities of the Eastern Adriatic. The “North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley” is the first transnational project aimed at developing a dedicated hydrogen valley. The project came about following an agreement between Croatia, Slovenia and the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with the aim of establishing a framework for cooperation in developing environmentally friendly hydrogen-production technologies. This collaboration will not only contribute to transitioning to an integrated ecosystem involving the energy, industry and transport sectors, but will also allow cooperation in research and innovation, to develop a hydrogen supply chain.

Area Science Park is providing concrete support to the Ukrainian population by funding two training/research grants for those fleeing the country, which has been in a state of emergency for months. The institution has recently published a call for expressions of interest in two training/research grants in the areas of genomics and data management, digitisation and artificial intelligence, and sustainability and business innovation. The grants will be awarded to people who were residing or domiciled in Ukraine before 24 February 2022, are at least 18 years old, have a good level of Italian or English, and have completed at least one cycle of technical level III higher education (according to the Ukrainian education system). Training and research will be carried out on-site at Area Science Park in Trieste over the course of 12 months. The grants include on-site accommodation at Area Science Park’s Padriciano campus and personalised support from the Welcome Office for managing the administrative procedures for staying in Trieste. The grants are to be paid monthly and will be awarded once the call for expressions of interest has closed. “With these two study and training grants, we want to offer concrete support to young people and welcome them to our campus,” says President of Area Science Park Caterina Petrillo. “It’s important for them to be able to continue their education and we want to help them settle in to a new study and work environment.” She went on to say that, “These grants are a first step. Should we receive a high number of applications, we will work with local research centres and businesses in the region to increase the allocated funds.” To submit an expression of interest, fill in the form available on Area Science Park’s website and send it, along with a signed CV, by 19 June 2022.