CRUI supports RomeCup to strengthen dialogue between universities, schools and businesses
The Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities (CRUI) has progressively consolidated its role in supporting the development of the university system through intense coordination, collaboration, research and experimentation. In this context, it has established itself as a point of reference for the growth and evolution of new models and methods. The decision to sponsor the RomeCup (7-9 May 2025) is further confirmation of the privileged link that the event has with the Italian academic world.
The rector of Roma Tre University, Massimiliano Fiorucci, who coordinates the teacher training commission within CRUI, emphasises the strategic value of the initiative: ‘Joining the RomeCup means working together on a project that unites schools, universities and businesses, to help determine the processes of technological innovation and not be subjected to them. Universities must be able to anticipate trends; this is a duty we have towards the country and society. The themes of RomeCup 2025, human and artificial intelligence as challenges for holistic well-being, no longer represent the future but the present. Our commitment must also be to counter gender gaps, such as the prevalent male presence in STEM disciplines, which must be counterbalanced by enhancing the presence of women in science’.
One of the central aspects of the RomeCup, orientation and dialogue with the productive world, is particularly important for the rector Fiorucci: ‘The relationship with high schools and the continuation of secondary education in university courses are important challenges. Furthermore, the proximity and collaboration with the productive world is particularly important. We need to work together to face the challenges of the future, calibrating and innovating the educational offer not with the aim of providing an immediately professionalising training, but certainly not detached and far from the world of work. It is essential to contextualise the educational offer with respect to current events and to be able to anticipate what will happen in the coming years, without ever forgetting the centrality of the human person. In this respect, we must remember that training must take a critical look at the changes brought about by technology, and must be able to weigh up the social impact of research and the real effects of innovation on society’.
The enthusiasm shown by the universities in the first months since the launch of the university competitions is clear evidence of this: nine universities immediately joined with great interest, and the inspirational talks were equally successful. This demonstrates a growing openness of the Italian university system to the challenges of the contemporary world. ‘Universities have long since ceased to be an ivory tower separated from the rest of society. The University of Roma Tre, for example, has always interacted with institutions and the surrounding area. We can think of the urban and social regeneration work carried out over the years, which has made it possible to redevelop old disused industrial structures, transforming them into factories of knowledge. More recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Roma Capitale to redevelop the former Mira Lanza building and transform it into student accommodation and guest quarters for visiting professors. This model of collaboration involves many other Italian universities, which now have institutional collaboration relationships both nationally and internationally,’ concludes the rector.
Interview by Onelia Onorati, press office of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale
