The Degree Programme Board (CAD) in Nanotechnology Engineering has developed specific consultation strategies with companies and research institutions involved in nanotechnology.
In defining these strategies, it was taken into account that the main—though not exclusive—employment prospects for a Master’s graduate in Nanotechnology Engineering lie in:
- medium-large and small-sized enterprises, as well as medium-sized companies specialized in producing innovative materials and high-tech products in the fields of mechanical, aeronautical, aerospace, chemical, electronic, energy, telecommunications, construction, transportation, biomedical, environmental, and restoration engineering;
- industrial laboratories and research and development centers in both public and private organizations.
These direct consultations have two main objectives:
- to define a training offer aligned with the needs of the job market and to support students in building an academic path consistent with their ambitions and expectations, within the context of market demand trends;
- to promote and organize meetings with companies and research institutions active in nanotechnologies, in order to inform students and graduates about career opportunities.
To achieve these objectives, the consultation strategies are based on two complementary and synergistic approaches, the outcomes of which are then discussed within the CAD for the evaluation and implementation of possible changes to the curriculum:
- direct interactions between individual faculty members and industries or institutions, which are also essential for the development of thesis work in industrial or laboratory settings. These interactions are often formalized through internship agreements on the TSP platform [https://uniroma1.tsp.esse3.cineca.it/pub/main-page], strongly encouraged by the CAD;
- regular public events designed to connect students with the professional world and to provide spaces for discussion and feedback aimed at verifying, in a multidisciplinary and dialogical setting, how well the curriculum meets real labor market needs.
For several years now, the NanoInnovation event [www.nanoinnovation.eu] has been held in the Cloister of the Faculty of Civil and Industrial Engineering, with the aim of fostering cultural and informational exchange on nanotechnology topics among industry, research, and education sectors. The event provides a valuable opportunity to collect feedback directly from industry representatives to monitor achieved results and identify potential adjustments to both the overall educational offer and the contents of specific courses.
Furthermore, within NanoInnovation, the CAD organizes a dedicated workshop aimed at collegial consultation with companies and institutions already involved in direct interaction, as well as with national and international organizations representing the production of goods and services and the professions operating in the field of nanotechnologies.
At the Faculty level, regular consultation is carried out with professional organizations relevant to the fields targeted by the Degree Programmes, through the Memorandum of Understanding between the Faculty of Engineering and Large Enterprises (FIGI – http://figi.ing.uniroma1.it/#governance). During the meetings, company representatives review the programme offerings, objectives, and curricula, identifying strengths and potential areas for improvement.
In May, the CAD also organizes a dedicated presentation day for the Master’s Degree Programme (NanoDay).
The event is addressed to students enrolled in Bachelor’s Degree Programmes within the Faculties of Civil and Industrial Engineering and Information, Computer and Statistical Engineering at Sapienza, involving on average 100 to 150 participants. The event is divided into three phases. In the first part, experts from industry and research institutions in the field of nanotechnology illustrate the distinctive features of the Nanotechnology Engineer profession, explaining the role such a professional plays in companies and research centers. In the second part, recent graduates with significant professional or scientific experience share their career paths and highlight the strengths of the Nanotechnology Engineering programme they successfully attended in previous years. The third part, led by faculty members representing the different academic areas of the programme, provides a detailed overview of the curriculum, objectives, admission requirements, research activities, and nanotechnology infrastructures at Sapienza.
Since 2023, the Degree Programme has launched an important initiative aimed at regularly involving stakeholders, with the goal of ensuring alignment between the curriculum and market needs while promoting continuous improvement. To this end, a consultation questionnaire was developed in collaboration with leading organizations representing the industrial, service, and professional sectors. The questionnaire describes the professional profiles the programme aims to train, as well as the knowledge and skills it intends to provide to students.