Following the success of its first edition, Tech Forward Student Program returns with its Second Edition, a free Advanced Training Course, aimed at master’s students from universities in the Emilia-Romagna region: Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, University of Ferrara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and University of Parma.
The program aims to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by working on innovative technologies developed within universities and regional research institutes. Through a project-based and collaborative approach, students are guided in identifying potential application areas for these technologies, with a strong focus on social and economic impact.
The course is delivered entirely in English and also includes an important international experience at the Design Factory of CERN in Geneva, Idea Square, one of the most advanced innovation ecosystems worldwide.
Through a selection process, six multidisciplinary teams will be formed, each composed of five students. The teams will be supported by local coaches, university researchers, and professionals from various sectors.
During the scheduled design sprints, students will:
- work with researchers to gain a technical understanding of the technologies;
- collaborate with professionals and users to explore the potential impact of solutions in different contexts;
- develop and test ideas through an iterative process in order to identify the most promising applications.
The ultimate goal of Tech Forward is twofold: to enhance academic research and to train the next generation of innovators, capable of transforming scientific knowledge into concrete solutions for societal needs.
The project is promoted by a partnership led by Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna (Department of Management, AFORM – Education Area, ARIN – Innovation Area), with the involvement of the University of Ferrara, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, and the University of Parma. The project implementers are AlmaCube and FAM.
The call for applications is open until January 28, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., and is available at the following link.
Additionally, an online information session will be held, with the participation of the scientific director and academic tutors on January 23, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
For further information, please contact: master@unibo.it
- For scientific and academic matters: Professor Matteo Vignoli – oper.space@unibo.it
The Tech Forward – Edition 2 | Student Program project is funded by European Funds of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
Ref. PA 2024-22855/RER – Project No. 1 – Tech Forward Student Program – CUP J31J24003680002 – Ref. PA 2024-23127/RER – TechForward Edition 2 – Colliding Innovation – Project No. 1 – CUP J31J24003690002
Promoters
