research

Rome

21 September 2014

Italian talent abroad

This National Interest event of the Italian Talent Abroad group focused on work, training and innovation as the key launching pads for the country’s future. It was noted that while the issue of employment is one that impacts on the whole of Europe, it has an even greater bearing in Italy. In particular, there is a risk of losing an entire generation of talent, thereby fueling a vicious circle, since the destruction of skills and expertise in many sectors constitutes an irreversible process.

Milan

19 January 2015

High‐tech life sciences in Italy

The opening premise of discussions at this National Interest roundtable event was that an examination of industrial trends over the course of the deep and protracted crisis that has hit Italian manufacturing highlights the importance of the life sciences sector. Figures were cited in support of this assertion showing that, in Italy, the pharmaceutical and medtech industries have increased their contribution to the economy in terms of value added (up from 5% to 6% of manufacturing industry from 2008 to 2013) and even more so in terms of exports (up from 5% to 7%).

Venice

9 May 2014

Strengthening and accelerating innovation: resources, tools, competencies

Headlining discussions at this ASL seminar was the observation that innovation – a key factor for growth, competitiveness and social wellbeing – requires that a series of tangible and intangible conditions be met in for it to be given full expression. Only thus – it was argued – will it be possible to harness creative talent, transform flashes of inspiration into concrete outcomes, and support business vision and ideas. The fostering of innovation was viewed, especially at this juncture, as imperative for the Italian economy, which needs to reinvigorate its manufacturing base.

Milan

27 May 2013

High-tech life sciences in Italy

It was remarked from the outset of this National Interest roundtable that the health and life sciences industry is crucial to the Italian production system due to the simultaneous existence of a number of particular factors, namely: the global nature of markets and the supranational character of competition; the potentially strategic role of public actors, owing to their ability to influence supply and stimulate investment; and the highly specialized nature of the professional skills involved.

Geneva

18 October 2013

Science and innovation: research, infrastructure and international collaboration

The opening premise of discussions at this International Conference was that scientific research is crucial to innovation, understood as both the discovery of new facts, data, or laws of nature, as well as knowledge with a direct technological application. Indeed, technology provides an essential bridge between science and society. As a demonstration of this, the participants pointed to the limitless practical applications of the World Wide Web (which had its origins at CERN, based on the development of the internet), citing it as a case where the industrial spinoff has been enormous.

Milan

3 December 2012

Biotechnologies and life sciences in Italy: new measures to stimulate competitiveness

The participants in this National Roundtable observed, by way of opening premise, that biotechnology is a scientific field offering great prospects and within which Italy could play an important role. Indeed, the country boasts a high level of training and outstanding expertise in the sector. The projected rewards, including of a financial nature, are quite considerable, with attractive prospects from an industrial point of view.

Rome

17 October 2012

Innovation and research to beat the crisis

Innovation is a complex process that requires creativity and talent, as well as infrastructure, long-term investment and a truly effective merit-based system of incentives: these were the watchwords at this event to launch the latest issue of Aspenia. Indeed, it was observed that for a society to be innovative in the twenty-first century world, it must have the scope and ability to combine scientific research with applied technology, thereby transforming ideas into products or services that are useful from a market perspective.

Milan

14 November 2011

Scientific and technological research in Italy: myths and reality

The Friends of Aspen held their thirteenth annual meeting at the Museum of Science and Technology in Milan. As per tradition, at the opening of proceedings the group’s latest members were introduced, and then a brief account was given of the Friends’ activities over the past two years, which have been characterized by efforts to provide fresh insights into the work involved in running a business day-to-day, with a focus on encouraging new generations to take up the mantle.

Cernobbio

19 July 2009

Italy’s universities: reforms and tools to render them competitive

Reform of Italy’s universities has for months been at the center of the national public debate, coinciding with the development of plans for a government review of the area. In addition to issues relating to the governance of universities and the soundness of the system’s macro-financial structure, the participants at this Conference examined ways of making the Italian university model more efficient and merit-based, focusing predominantly on the mechanisms regulating the autonomy of individual universities and the relationship between the latter and their local business communities.