On October 7, an international study visit took place at the DAMA Technopole in Bologna, offering participants from different countries the opportunity to discover the innovation ecosystem and excellence of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

The day opened with an introduction to the DAMA Technopole, presented by Mauro Penza from the Emilia-Romagna Region. Penza outlined the strategic role of the Technopole within the regional network of innovation infrastructures and its contribution to research, high-performance computing, and data management.

Following the introduction, participants enjoyed a guided visit to the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), one of Europe’s leading research institutions in meteorology and climate modelling, hosted within the Technopole.

The programme continued with a presentation by CINECA, where participants learned more about the Leonardo supercomputer, one of the most powerful in the world. The session highlighted how Leonardo supports scientific research and innovation at both national and European levels.

In the final part of the visit, attention turned to the services and opportunities available for international talents in Bologna and across Emilia-Romagna.

• Invest in Bologna, the local service for talents run by CMBO – Città Metropolitana di Bologna, designed to support talent attraction and retention in the city;

• ER.GO presented its initiatives and services for students and researchers;

• ART-ER showcased the IT-ER project, which promotes international talent networking and integration within the regional innovation ecosystem, and the different local services for talents.

The visit was a great success, offering participants valuable insight into the region’s excellence in research, technology, and innovation, as well as its welcoming environment for international talents.
Moments like these are essential to strengthen collaboration, share knowledge, and showcase the opportunities that make Emilia-Romagna a truly open and innovative region.