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NEW DEADLINE DEC. 9, 2022 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Call for Papers:U.S. universities are invited to bring students and faculty to Italy to participate in Italian technology awards programs for glass, leather, metals and packaging machinery. 

The Italian Trade Agency has issued a Call for Papers for the 2022 edition of the Italian Technology Awards.

CHICAGO, Ill., OCTOBER 2022 - The Italian Trade Agency through its offices in the United States (ITA - https://www.ice.it/en/markets/usa) and its partners announce a "Call for Papers" for the Italian Technology Awards (ITA) 2022.

The Italian Technology Award program consists of a competition that asks upper-level students attending major universities in the United States to submit a paper on the relative innovation occurring in mechanical engineering-related industries and the problems they face. The purpose of the program is to enrich the engineering education of students and advance knowledge of important issues within the metalworking and glass industries for the next generation of engineering professionals. 

The winners of the Italian Technology Awards (ITA), for each of the four (4) award programs, selected as the best, will be awarded a one-week trip to Italy with activities scheduled for January 15-20, 2023. The selected students and faculty will visit top Italian companies in the sectors involved in each program and participate in an advanced educational program in Milan, as well as a series of cultural activities in various Italian cities. 

The trip to the United States is part of the international Italian Technology Awards program. The ITA is sponsored by the Italian Trade Agency, through its offices in Chicago and Houston, by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE (Italian Association of Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots, Automation Systems and Auxiliary Products - www.ucimu.it), by GIMAV (Italian Association of Suppliers of Glass Processing Machinery and Accessories - www. GIMAV.it), by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE (Italian Association of Suppliers of Glass Processing Machinery and Accessories - www. GIMAV. it). gimav.it), UCIMA (Italian Association of Suppliers of Automatic Machinery and Packaging Technologies - www.ucima.it) and ASSOMAC (Italian Association of Footwear, Leather Goods and Tanning Technology Manufacturers - www.assomac.it).

Italian Machine Tool Technology Award Program. 

Submission Criteria: Juniors, seniors and postgraduate students from U.S. universities participating in programs related to disciplines surrounding mechanical engineering may submit a paper based on real-world cases and addressing one of the following suggested topics:

  • Machine tools, robotics, and manufacturing technologies: research and innovation in materials, machining processes, and design, production, and control systems, with special reference to the digitization of the machine tool and mechanical manufacturing sector.

  • Sustainability (economic, social and environmental): management, organization and communication in machine tools and mechanical manufacturing.

  • Digital factory: applications of information technology, artificial intelligence, human-machine interface/collaboration and cybersecurity for the digitization of the machine tool and mechanical manufacturing sector."

Paper requirements: the paper should preferably be 10-12 pages, typed and double-spaced. Recent academic papers related to any of the above submission criteria may also be submitted. Attachments such as footnotes, images, photocopied materials, citations of sources, statistics, etc. are allowed. Papers must be submitted electronically by Friday, December 9, 2022 to the Italian Trade Agency in Chicago at [email protected], indicating in the subject line "Italian Machine Tool Technology Award Paper Submission" and full contact information for possible follow-up.

Italian Glassworking Machinery Technology Award Program 

Submission criteria and requirements for the paper: junior, senior and postgraduate students at U.S. universities participating in programs related to mechanical engineering disciplines may submit a paper based on real cases, projects, etc., provided they have one or more items related to one of the following suggested topics (current academic papers related to any of the following submission criteria may also be submitted):

  • Machinery for flat glass production (construction, automotive, furniture, energy, ...)

  • Hollow glass production machinery (pharmaceutical, tableware, containers, cosmetics)

Requirements for the paper: Submitted papers should ideally be 2-3 pages, typed and double-spaced. However, the length of the paper may be considered due to time constraints. Attachments such as footnotes, images, photocopied materials, source citations, statistics, etc. are allowed. 

Submissions should be sent electronically by Friday, December 9, 2022 to the Italian Trade Agency Houston Office at [email protected] indicating in the subject line "Italian Glass Machinery Technology Award Paper Submission" and full contact information for possible follow-up

Italian Leatherworking Machinery Technology Award Program (CLOSED

Submission criteria and paper requirements: only undergraduate, graduate and recent graduate students at the University of Oregon specializing in footwear engineering are eligible for the competition. Each research paper must be submitted by a single author; papers compiled by more than one student will not be accepted.

  • Sustainability - Standardization and Certification The main concepts of sustainability; examples of sustainable production approaches and circular economy. Impacts on footwear design and production. ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) best practices. Holistic sustainable approaches involving manufacturers and suppliers. Standards and certifications for energy-efficient production (green label); examples and best practices. Standards for data reporting and machine integration (blue label); best practices from other industries. Quality standards. Material and consumer safety standards.

  • Digital Transformation - Human Capital The digital transformation of the footwear design and manufacturing process. CAD and digital twins. Automation of the footwear manufacturing process, applied robotics and collaborative robotics. AI and manufacturing. Connected machines and systems. Industry 4.0 and beyond. Cyber-physical systems. Servitization of production. Workers 4.0; the "new human capital." Retraining shop floor workers for new skills and capabilities. The role of schools and educational institutions. Digital workers for a digital transformation. New roles for tomorrow's footwear workers.

  • Tomorrow's products and consumers - Logistics and supply chain. The evolution of the shoe as a product; simplifying the concept of footwear. Knitted uppers and 3D printed soles. Additive manufacturing in footwear. The new connected and conscious consumer. An update on personalization and its new drivers. The new retail landscape. Disruption of supply chains due to pandemic and geopolitics; short versus long supply chains. Reshoring and resurgence of manufacturing in Western countries. Best practices, examples and new patterns. Lessons for tomorrow. Resilient supply chains.

Paper Requirements: Submitted papers should be 10-12 pages, typed and double-spaced (in English). Attachments such as footnotes, images, photocopied materials, source citations, statistics, etc. are allowed. 

Submissions should be sent electronically by Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 to the Italian Trade Agency in Chicago at [email protected],indicando in the subject line "Italian Leatherworking Technology Award Paper Submission" and full contact information for possible follow-up. 

Italian Packaging Machinery Technology Award Program 

Submission criteria and requirements for the paper: junior, senior and postgraduate students from U.S. universities participating in programs related to mechanical engineering disciplines may submit a paper based on real-world cases and addressing one of the following suggested topics:

  • Technical innovation in the packaging machinery manufacturing industry - ( work having to do with packaging material innovation rather than packaging machinery related technologies will not be accepted )

Paper requirements: submitted papers should be between 10 and 12 pages long, typed and double-spaced (in English). Recent academic articles related to any of the submission criteria may also be submitted. Attachments such as footnotes, images, photocopied materials, source citations, statistics, etc. are allowed.


Submissions should be sent electronically by Friday, Dec. 9, 2022 to Italian Trade Agency Chicago at [email protected] in the subject line "Italian Packaging Technology Award Paper Submission" and full contact information for possible follow-up.

The faculties may decide to integrate this competition into ongoing academic courses, allowing selected students to credit their work. 

Number of winners for the Machine Tools Program: the ITA will select up to three (3) winning U.S. students (TBD) from submitted work and, if budget allows, one (1) U.S. faculty professor will accompany the group of students. 
Number of winners for the Glass Machinery Program: the ITA will select up to two (2) winning U.S. students from among the submitted papers and, if budget allows, one (1) U.S. faculty professor will accompany the group of students. 
Number of winners for the Packaging Machinery Program: the ITA will select up to two (2) winning U.S. students from among the submitted work and, if budget allows, one (1) U.S. faculty professor will accompany the student group. 
Number of winners for the Leather Processing Machinery Program: the ITA will select only up to two (2) winning U.S. students from theUniversity of Oregon from among the submitted work and, if budget allows, one (1) U.S. faculty professor will accompany the student group. 

Eligibility requirements for U.S. students and faculty - if not U.S.citizens: 

Glistudents and faculty, if not U.S. citizens with passports, must already have the necessary travel documents and visa eligibility to travel to Italy and must be proficient in English if not their native language .

Want to see photos from our previous program? Click here


About the Italian Trade Agency: The Italian Trade Agency (ICE-Agenzia) is the Italian government agency responsible for promoting trade, business opportunities and industrial cooperation between Italian and foreign companies. It supports the internationalization of Italian companies and their consolidation in foreign markets. The Agency's training programs are based on the following pillars: research, innovation, communication and quality control of training processes. The Agency has agreements and programs with Italian regions and local authorities for the education and training of technical personnel, students and enterprises. Visit www.italtrade.com/usa. 

About the Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots, Automation Systems and Auxiliary Products: The objective of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, the Association of Italian Manufacturers of Machine Tools, Robots, Automation Systems and Auxiliary Products, has always been to promote the interests of the industry and the growth and dissemination of an entrepreneurial culture through the provision of constantly updated services to meet the needs of companies operating in this particular sector. Visit www.ucimu.it. 

The Italian Association of Suppliers of Machinery and Accessories for Glass Processing: evolution of the Italian glassmaking tradition, GIMAV -Association of Italian Suppliers of Machinery and Accessories for Glass Processing- today represents Italian excellence in glass processing machinery. This industry sector has expanded internationally through the use of innovative technologies that meet the needs of today's market. GIMAV's 69 member companies are known for their ability to customize machines to end-user specifications, from skyscraper construction to artistic applications. Visit www.gimav.it 

TheItalian Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Association is the 'national trade association representing and supporting Italian manufacturers of packaging and packaging machinery. It has more than 160 member companies from all over Italy, including major industry leaders. Visit www.ucima.it 

Association of Italian Footwear, Leather Goods and Tanning Technology Manufacturers. ASSOMAC is the association that brings together Italian manufacturers of footwear, leather goods and tanning machinery and accessories. It protects their interests by promoting this manufacturing sector worldwide. ASSOMAC brings together about 130 Italian technology manufacturers. Visit www.assomac..it

ITA US Media contacts:

For machine tool, leather processing and packaging technology award programs: Italian Trade Agency, Chicago Office, Bart Pascoli, Tel. 312.670.4360, Fax: 312.670.5147 - [email protected] 

For glass processing technology award program: Italian Trade Agency, Houston Office, Mr. Salvatore Grignano, Tel. 281.888.4288, Fax.281.974.3100 - [email protected]

Program contacts and technical descriptions: 
General questions or comments regarding teacher applications and student papers may be directed to the Chicago Office of the Italian Trade Agency, Bart Pascoli, Tel. 312.670.4360, or e-mail [email protected]. Technical descriptions of each program are given in their respective descriptions above. 

Editors: jpeg photos available upon request.

TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Today the future transcends boundaries; the Italian Technology Award's fundamental mission is to facilitate a networked economy.

Highlight the image of Italian technology, promoting its value in international training and research. Establish a network that promotes the internationalization of Italian companies and long-lasting business Support the expansion of Italian technology into new markets by educating future decision-makers Advance Italy as a center of attraction for the best international talent.

PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
The Competition

Candidates are asked to submit papers in their field of studies. Winners are awarded a unique one-week study tour to Italy. For the first week participants join students from all over the world at a leading Italian University where they participate in knowledge exchanges and discuss innovation while also touring world-renowned companies demonstrating Italian excellence in technology and production within the industry.

Global Network

With 10 Italian Technology Awards taking place on an annual basis, each year approximately over 70 foreign students arrive in Italy from all over the world. Major international universities from the following countries have been participating in the program for over 16years: USA, Canada, Russia, China, Mexico, India, Egypt, Iran, South Korea and Brazil.

Engineering Excellence

Each industry focused upon within the awards represents a heritage of Italian engineering excellence. The Awards focuses on the following industries:

  • Ceramic Machinery
  • Plastic & Rubber Machinery
  • Footwear, Leathergoods and Tanning Machinery  
  • Machines Tools
  • Textile Machinery
  • Woodworking Machinery
  • Packaging Machinery
  • Graphics & Paper Machines
  • Glass Machinery Technology
ITA: PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
The Italian Trade Agency invites major universities and leading Italian companies to become partners in this truly unique project and share their values and insight.
Benefits for companies

Partner companies contribute to the Made in Italy initiative by showcasing their organizations commitment to innovation excellence. Companies welcome talented young people, encouraging training and integration into the work force, distinguishing itself as socially committed and as an image of progress, stability and development.

For each company involved this translated into visibility and commercial benefits. Putting future international managers of the sector face-to-face with its technologies and solutions will create a pool of potential international buyers and users and will expand and consolidate a network of contacts promoting trade, innovation and potential earnings.

Benefits for universities

The opportunity for a university’s involvement in the award programs expands educational curriculum by providing very specific international training experience by combining classroom activities, as well as immersion in business environments. The program is of no cost to the student or academic institution.

Alumni Portal

Italian Technology Award Alumni Portal can now connect students, faculty members, and Italian companies and associations that have been part of the program since its inception through the newly established online alumni network of past and present winners. The alumni network allows participants to continue exchanging ideas, concepts, and experiences through the convenience of social media. Alumni both academic and professional who have taken part in the Technology Award program are welcome to contact our Offices via the About Us section on this site here.



We are always looking to expand partnership opportunities. Please contact our Offices in Chicago, Toronto and Mexico City via the "About Us" section of this site here to become involved.