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The Italian General Commissioner’s Office for Expo 2020 Dubai and the Marche Polytechnic University (UnivPM) have signed a memorandum of understanding in view of Italy’s participation in Expo Dubai, to promote initiatives, events, activities, training courses, new entrepreneurial models and new skills in the field of national innovation and circular economy, with the aim of generating opportunities, social value and circular economic growth.

The Marche Polytechnic University (UnivPM), bolstered by its experiences and activities designed to achieve sustainability objectives and devise social innovation solutions, such as the #StopSingleUsePlastic initiative with the CRUI (Conference of Italian University Rectors) and the enhancement of the Contamination Lab, will bring a broad set of specialities and skills to Expo Dubai 2020, along with a system of scientific and digital innovations plus solutions for the transferral of know-how and technological skills to businesses.

UnivPM is also the headquarters of UNIADRION, the association of Universities from the Adriatic-Ionian region which promotes scientific and academic collaboration and coordinates numerous European research and innovation projects within the framework of the Horizon2020 programme, supporting successful small, medium-sized and large businesses in launching digital transformation processes and using innovative technologies for economic, environmental and social sustainability.

The Marche Polytechnic University will assist in the Italian project for Expo 2020 Dubai, lending its skills to strengthen and develop strategic partnerships with research bodies from various Mediterranean countries and with the countries taking part in Expo Dubai. Its activities will include promoting and circulating information about innovative training courses dedicated to the development of new entrepreneurial models and the fostering of new skills.

Rector Sauro Longhi states: “We have been working to create relationships between students, teachers and companies for a long time. The theme of Expo 2020 Dubai, “Connecting minds, creating the future”, is moving in this direction. With this agreement we are committing to encourage the involvement of Italian companies associated with the training programmes offered around the themes of Expo 2020, and to support educational training initiatives regarding technological, sustainable and digital innovation. We will also be concentrating on mobility and accessibility, plus the sustainability of environmental resources, energy and water, as well as intangible infrastructures.”

Commissioner Paolo Glisenti comments: “The partnership with the Marche Polytechnic University is an important element of our participation in the upcoming Universal Exhibition, as it will allow us to represent Italian companies with innovative supply chain logic and a network of extensive multidisciplinary skills, to attract the attention of a large part of the Mediterranean and MeNaSA.”.