Date
FUTURECAMP for Bio and NanoTech,
Youth towards research and innovation: biotechnologies and nanotechnologies for health
Event promoted by the Women and Technologies Association in collaboration with SEMM - European School of Molecular Medicine and with the School of Doctorate in Molecular Medicine at the University of Milan.
With the contribution of IF... Innovation Festival Milan.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EVENT
The society in which we live increasingly bases its development on the creation of new knowledge, through research and scientific discoveries, and on the related technological applications. However, Italian universities are often characterized by the so-called "brain drain", whereby a large number of brilliant new graduates start their careers in laboratories outside national borders. The reasons for this phenomenon are also found upstream of the educational process, where young people are not sufficiently informed about the prospects and professional future that prestigious institutions can offer in the world of research in Italy. From the need for more information and guidance on the paths and skills necessary to be able to pursue a career in the field of research and innovation, especially in cutting-edge areas such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, the idea of FUTURECAMP for Bio and NanoTech was born: a workshop aimed at high school students and university students and designed to promote direct contact with those working in these sectors. The event was attended by Serenella Corbetta, Deputy Gender Equality Adviser of the Province of Milan, Francesca Fiore, Coordinator of the educational activities of the European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM) at Campus IFOM-IEO, Maria Luisa Villa, Director of the PhD School in Molecular Medicine at the University of Milan, Daniela Bellomo, General Manager of TT Factor Srl Technology Transfer at IFOM-IEO, Maria Luisa Nolli, CEO of Areta International. To provide students with a closer insight into the opportunities offered by research doctorates, four doctoral students intervened, two at SEMM, Maria Elena Pozzebon and Chiara Segrè, and two at the School of Doctorate in Molecular Medicine, Anna Campanella and Marzia Chimienti. From the presentations of the speakers and the discussion that arose from the numerous questions from the audience, some points of reflection emerged for those who want to build their professional future in the field of bio and nanotechnologies: firstly, the advantages of a scientific degree, which teaches a work method that can be applied to any activity and offers a versatile preparation, valid for careers both in research and in managerial and managerial fields; furthermore, the possibility of carrying out a research path outside university centers, in private centers, was emphasized several times. Over 100 people took part in the workshop, including approximately 20% of university students and doctoral students, some representatives of private foundations or other entities, and a clear majority of high school and technical institute students, mainly from Milan and the province, accompanied by their teachers. All the material related to the event (audio-video recordings were made) will soon be available to all those interested on the portal and on the connected social media (blog and community 2.0), with the possibility to comment on the content. In particular, the blog www.womentech.info/blogwt will become a notice board of useful information to navigate through the different professions required in the world of sciences, starting precisely from the Bio and NanoTech sectors: maximum emphasis will be given to internship opportunities, scholarships, awards, and funding, often unknown to those who could benefit from them. The workshop is part of the annual events leading up to the International Conference Women&Technologies®: e-Health, which will take place next November 8, from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, at the National Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci", in via San Vittore 21 in Milan, and will be dedicated to research and innovation in the field of Health, with a special focus on the bio and nanotechnologies sectors. On that occasion, a short summary video of FUTURECAMP will be presented.
