On December 12th, 2023, an agreement of cooperation and intent was signed between Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan) and UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Italian machine tools, robots and automation systems manufacturers' association, aimed at further enhancing the dialogue and cooperation between the two organizations, which have always developed projects of common interest related to the sector.

The chancellor of Politecnico di Milano, Donatella Sciuto, and the president of UCIMU, Barbara Colombo, signed the agreement in the presence of the UCIMU Board Members, who met at the association's headquarters for the last Board Meeting of the year 2023.

The definition of the Framework Agreement – which is valid for three years – is principally intended as a tool to better coordinate the various initiatives involving the two organizations, by increasing, where possible, points of contact and activities focused on the industry of machine tools, robotics, automation, digital and additive manufacturing.

There are two lines of action. The first one is to promote initiatives for fostering the knowledge of the machine tool industry among the University students through the funding of scholarships on disciplines linked to the sector, including UCIMU Prizes, development of degree theses on topics of joint interest, organisation of visits by students and student groups to companies in the field and to trade fairs promoted by the association and involvement of final-year students in tutoring activities for high school students visiting trade shows.

The second line of action is designed to encourage the cooperation of the parties on a technical-scientific level for the implementation of study and research projects of common interest, also in the context of national and international calls for proposals.

Moreover, the agreement is intended to develop several activities aimed at highlighting the employment opportunities offered by UCIMU member companies, also through the use of a placement, internship and traineeship service and with the participation in “Career Day” events organized by Politecnico di Milano.

Barbara Colombo, the president of UCIMU, stated: “For UCIMU, the signing of this agreement is an important tool to support the association's work in encouraging a dialogue between the academic and research worlds and the industry of the sector. In particular, in our opinion, the agreement may help reduce the mismatch between manpower supply and demand in our industry. Indeed, our companies encounter great difficulties in finding young, prepared and motivated resources and Politecnico di Milano is certainly one of the main partners to turn to for recruiting technical and managerial profiles. In addition, with this agreement, together with Chancellor Sciuto, we think we can work more smoothly and intensively on the development of studies of common interest, by contributing - association and university, each for their own competences and roles - to the creation and sharing of knowledge, which is also the basis for the continuous industrial progress of this and all manufacturing sectors”.

“An agreement that is designed for young people: their entry into university and their placement into the world of work through industrial doctorates. From the training of qualified personnel, through state-of-the-art research and innovation, UCIMU is confirmed as an important partner for our university.” comments Donatella Sciuto, chancellor of Politecnico di Milano. “The commitment made for the next three years, by both parties, is a testimony to a mutual understanding that focuses on merit and competence, which are two vital elements for us and two essential levers for the industrial system to maintain the competitiveness of the member companies of the Association, which represent the vast majority of the “Made in Italy” in the field. Focusing on young people means laying the foundation for long-lasting and shared growth paths between the Public and the Private, in a sector, such as manufacturing, which has always been central to our economy”.

About UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE:

UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE is the Italian machine tool, robots, automation systems and ancillary products (NC, tools, components, accessories) manufacturers' association.

The official representative of the sector, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE has today over two hundred associate member companies, which account for over 70% of the Made in Italy of the sector.

The value and the long-standing tradition of member companies, characteristic of one of the sectors that best represents the whole manufacturing chain, and the capabilities of the association network, make UCIMU one of the most influential representatives of Sistema Confindustria (General Confederation of Italian industry System).

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About Politecnico di Milano:

Politecnico di Milano is a public scientific-technological university which trains engineers, architects and industrial designers.

The University has always focused on the quality and innovation of its teaching and research, developing a fruitful relationship with business and productive world by means of experimental research and technological transfer.

Research has always been linked to didactics and it is a priority commitment which has allowed Politecnico Milano to achieve high quality results at an international level as to join the university to the business world. Research constitutes a parallel path to that formed by cooperation and alliances with the industrial system.

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