A world academy to help create
the cars of the future is set to open in the heart of Italy's
motor industry in Bologna.
Four universities together with firms representing world
excellence on two and four wheels are getting together under the
auspices of the Emilia Romagna region to open a top training hub
that aims to attract students from around the world and shape
the engineering elite of the future.
The Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna (MUNER) is an
association that links the universities of Bologna, Ferrara,
Parma/Modena and Reggio Emilia with firms like Ferrari,
Maserati, Lamborghini, Ducati, Dallara, Haas, Magneti Marelli
and Toro Rosso.
The fruit of the collaboration are two top English-language
master's university courses starting in the Emilian capital this
September: 120 students will take part in the Advanced
Automotive Engineering course; and 30 will aim for a degree in
Advanced Automotive Electronic Engineering.
The program will include theory sessions and workshops to be
held at the research centers of companies taking part in the
project.
"Four universities, among the oldest in the world, and eight
motoring stables which are leaders on a global level are coming
together to attract motivated and talented young people," said
Emilia-Romagna Governor Stefano Bonaccini.
"It's a project that is unique on the national and
international scene, which confirms Emilia-Romagna not only as
the European heart of new manufacturing but also as a platform
for high-level training with great added value".
The CEO of Ducati, Claudio Domenicali, said he has "strong
memories" of his experience as an engineering student at the
University of Bologna.
"As soon as it was possible, I strived to give our territory
a training institution that matched the level of companies that
are here in the Motor Valley", he said.
Representatives of the universities and companies behind
MUNER, who attended the official presentation of the initiative,
also spoke about its importance for the region.
Andrea Pontremoli, the CEO and general manager of Dallara,
who also represented Haas at the presentation, said he had been
"personally pursuing this dream for two years".
"The competition is not between single companies anymore but
rather between territorial networks", he noted.
A territory, he concluded, "is created by companies, the
education system and institution that sets the rules - and they
are all together here".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
