Interview with Prof. Enrico Bracci - Pro-rector delegated to the Third Mission.

The Pro-rector delegated to the Third Mission presents the strategic objectives of the Ferrara Technopole and the direction to be taken to make the access point for industrial research at the University of Ferrara a reference point for the entire region and beyond.

Professor Bracci, what will the strategy of the Technopole of Ferrara be in the medium and long term?

Following the approval in September 2022 by the University of Ferrara of the Technopole Development Plan 2023-2027, ambitious strategic objectives were outlined to foster the growth and impact of industrial research, the creation of new enterprises and the economic vitality of the territory. The strategy will be developed along a number of strategic objectives, in particular related to strengthening internal and external governance to ensure greater coordination between the laboratories, UNIFE facilities and other players in the local and regional innovation ecosystem; the strengthening of the Technopole's infrastructures and services to support start-ups and open-innovation through the extension of the innovation-hub model, the strengthening of business services including continuous and professional training services; the strengthening of laboratories' infrastructures both in terms of innovative equipment and the upgrading of operating sites. operational locations. All this is supported by the strengthening of promotion and communication services, also to foreign markets. The ultimate goal is, therefore, to consolidate its position as a point of reference for enterprises and Institutions in order to enhance scientific research, stimulate industrial research and technology transfer, develop new entrepreneurial initiatives, generating an impact on the territory in terms of attractiveness, economic growth and territorial well-being.

Which main synergies will be developed?

The Technopole is one of the components of the complex regional innovation ecosystem that belong to the High-Technology Network, so the first synergy is at regional level with other territorial actors. Thanks to the new project financed under the RP FERS 2021-2027 that supports the management and development of the Technopoles' activities, a whole series of initiatives will be realized in the next two years together with other Technopoles, Clust-ER and various regional stakeholders and players aimed at stimulating the territory, supporting companies in their innovation process opening up to international markets.

Furthermore, the Technopole development plan will be integrated with potential synergies from the PNRR projects that provide a strong component of industrial research, technology and knowledge transfer, business creation and, in general, the strengthening of the economical and social area of the territories.   

Professor, the Technopole is part of the Ferrara University's Third Mission, which has the objective of returning to society the results of the two missions that characterise the academic world: education and research. Do you agree with those who argue that the Third Mission is the true mission of Universities, especially in terms of impact on the territory?

Certainly, in terms of impact on the territory, the Third Mission represents an irreplaceable "litmus paper' of all the activities carried out by the University especially because of its constant relationship with local stakeholders and its ability to listen to their needs. The Third Mission, by its endogenous characteristic, tents to continuous adaptations that it carries out precisely on the basis of the inputs it receives and perceives from the reality that surrounds it. On the other hand, thanks to ideas, knowledge, discoveries and technologies that born and mature within the University, come out to boost businesses, grow social projects, improve the culture and awareness of citizens, create new opportunities. In particular, companies and start-ups can count on the University's research and patents, on its equipment and instruments and on its consultancy, to arrive quickly at their innovation, production and business goals.

Therefore, can we state that the Technopole can be considered both a tool and an objective to realise the strategic targets of our University within its Third Mission?

It is an irreplaceable tool because its laboratories are available to companies of any size and with any need, given the versatility nature of the its research areas. And it is an objective because, being at the disposal of companies, it receives their needs, weak points and expectations to which, on the one hand, it tries to respond, but, on the other hand, it provides the University with valuable information that can help it in the path of continuous adaptation that I mentioned earlier.

Thanks to Professor Bracci for his availability.

For those who would like to have further information on the services offered by the Technopole of Ferrara and/or on the research, projects and equipment available in the laboratories, please contact us at tecnopolo@unife.it