On November 26, 2025, a conference was held in Florence to present the research report “The Humanist Engineer. Qualitative research on training opportunities for engineers and gaps in relation to business needs”, the result of a collaboration between the University of Florence and the Olivettiana APS Association.

On November 26, the prestigious Aula Magna of the University of Florence opened its doors to host a scientific conference presenting the results of a research report analyzing the evolution of the humanist engineer and, along with it, the transformation of the business world in terms of the skills required today and recruitment and placement processes. This was fertile ground for stimulating debate on the need to intensify dialogue between territories, institutions, and places of education—first and foremost universities.

The conference was moderated by Prof. Paolo Maria Mariano and opened with institutional greetings from Prof. Marco Pierini, Vice-Rector for Technology Transfer, and Prof. Andrea Arnone, President of the School of Engineering, followed by Prof. Lorenzo Capineri, President of the Scientific Committee and coordinator of the interdisciplinary research unit, who presented the research project, its context, objectives, and potential future developments arising from the survey results.

The broader vision underlying the research project was shared by the co-promoters of the initiative: for the Olivettiana APS Association, the words of Honorary President Prof. Giovanni Maggio, President Prof. Paolo Rebaudengo, and Secretary and Treasurer Prof. Alessandro Chili; for the Fondazione MAIRE – ETS, Irene Di Amato, Board member and Communication Manager.

The main findings of the research report were then presented by researcher and scholarship holder Giulia Cecchini: from the research methodology to the highlights of the contributions that emerged from the focus groups and interviews, a picture emerges of a changing business world, seeking technical specialists who can integrate humanistic knowledge: the humanist engineer, a metaphor for a broad cultural change.

The debate was then enriched by representatives from the business world who shared strategies, best practices, and internal programs within their own organizations: tangible expressions of the evolution underway. Representing the companies participating in the research were Ilaria Catastini for the MARE group, Laura Tucci for Mercedes-Benz Italia, and Stefano Conti for FS Italiane; a round table coordinated by Prof. Paolo Maria Mariano.

The last part of the conference was dedicated to the free exchange of ideas and reflections between speakers and participants in the room.

To find out more, read the landing page dedicated to the project and to the humanist engineer [click here].