The University of Bologna and FederUnacoma working together for agro-industrial innovation

The Framework Agreement officially presented in Bologna during the Federation's annual general assembly will see the two entities collaborate together for the next three years

Agriculture, land and agro-industrial supply chains are now steered by advanced digital systems and artificial intelligence. Agricultural vehicles, even driverless ones, are increasingly supported by drones and robots that monitor crops and intervene selectively on plants. A revolution is taking place in the fields but there is a lack of technicians and specialists capable of managing it.

This is the background setting for the three-year agreement signed by FederUnacoma and the University of Bologna who have been collaborating and sharing information and technological know-how in the field of agricultural mechanics for some time, including with regard to the most advanced digital and robotic applications.

The University of Bologna and FederUnacoma will commit to promoting synergies of multidisciplinary activities and projects in the fields of research and innovation, internationalization and ongoing training. In particular, they will collaborate on the development and promotion of training courses for industries in the sector, for professionals and university students. In particular, industries will be able to access the skills offered by the University of Bologna to design and implement specific training courses on topics of digital innovation, marketing, foreign markets and trade fair management. The courses will be provided by the University of Bologna in collaboration with the Academy of Higher Education for Industry - AFI, specifically established for the purpose.

“The cooperation between the University of Bologna and the FederUnacoma Manufacturers' Association is being undertaken in the spirit of the so-called 'third mission' which is the responsibility of university institutions, – Rector Giovanni Molari stated- that of building bridges between research, training and business: through a structured cooperation with industry we can transform knowledge into concrete innovation that is useful for the local territory and the country”.

“The agreement also includes the design and delivery of specific modules - explained the General Director of FederUnacoma, Simona Rapastella - which concern not only new technologies but the entire range of company activities, including marketing, foreign markets, corporate communications and trade fair business, all highly strategic functions for our companies”.

“The training will be carried out by AFI Accademia, the structure specifically set up by FederUnacoma in collaboration with the University of Bologna – added Rapastella - which includes the “Trade Fair Management School”, specifically dedicated to trade fair management and aimed at organizers and operators of exhibitions and promotional events in Italy and abroad”.

“Investing in training has become a priority for all productive sectors - said the President of FederUnacoma, Mariateresa Maschio - because the context in which European and Italian companies operate is truly very difficult. We have to deal with unpredictable variables such as raw materials and energy supplies, we have to counter the offensive of emerging countries that aim to flood markets with products at extremely low prices, and we have to explore emerging markets in an international framework rendered extremely difficult by restrictions and trade wars. All this requires new skills and new professionalism".  

The Academy, whose Director is Girolamo Rossi, Head of the Communication and Corporate Culture Office of FederUnacoma, will hold the courses, co-designed in collaboration with the University of Bologna, at its headquarters in Bologna, at the new AFI Accademia facility specifically built in Rome, as well as at the University's facilities based on the needs of the different courses. Many seminars are already being planned and the complete calendar of activities for 2026 will be made public at the end of the year.