Politecnico di Milano: Charting a Course for Europe's Future with Tech and Conscience

MILAN, Italy – December 02, 2025 – Amidst a global landscape marked by deep-seated tensions and rapid change, one of Europe’s leading technical universities is stepping forward with a clear and ambitious vision. As Politecnico di Milano inaugurated its 163rd academic year, the message from its leadership, including Rector Donatella Sciuto and esteemed guest President Mario Draghi, was unequivocal: in an era of fragmentation, institutions of knowledge must serve as pillars of responsibility, cohesion, and progress.

The university unveiled a forward-looking strategic plan for 2026-28, centered on scientific diplomacy, a strengthened European identity, and a profound commitment to cultivating the next generation of global leaders. This isn't merely an academic exercise; it's a calculated response to the critical challenges facing Europe, aiming to transform the university into a powerful engine for innovation and social well-being.

Responding to Europe's Innovation Imperative

The backdrop for Politecnico’s new strategy is the stark reality of Europe's competitive standing. The recent, highly influential report on European competitiveness by Mario Draghi paints a picture of a continent at risk of falling behind, caught in a "middle technology trap" and struggling to convert world-class research into market-leading companies. Draghi’s analysis points to a persistent gap in private R&D investment compared to the US and a failure to scale up innovative startups, creating what he termed a potential for "slow agony" if left unaddressed.

Politecnico di Milano is positioning itself as a key actor in reversing this trend. Rector Sciuto spoke of the need to heal Europe's "internal dissent" and decisively tackle global challenges. A cornerstone of this effort is the plan to establish a permanent seat in Brussels in 2026. This move is designed to amplify the university's voice in European policy discussions, particularly with the crucial FP10 Framework Programme for research and innovation on the horizon. By fostering a stronger dialogue with EU institutions, the university aims to help shape a more cohesive and competitive scientific and technological landscape.

‘Today, more than ever, we need free spaces in which to exercise our autonomy, far from autocratic ideologies,’ the Rector stated, reinforcing the university's role as a bastion of critical thinking and a proactive force in building a more resilient and technologically sovereign Europe.

The Tech Europe Foundation: An Engine for Deep Tech

Perhaps the most tangible manifestation of this new strategy is Politecnico’s central role in the Tech Europe Foundation (TEF). This joint venture with Università Bocconi and other key partners represents a direct and powerful response to Draghi’s call to close the innovation gap. Having already raised €120 million, TEF is an ambitious project designed to create a thriving ecosystem where academic research, corporate innovation, and entrepreneurial drive converge.

Based in Milan's Bovisa district, within a sprawling urban regeneration project designed by architect Renzo Piano, TEF aims to transform the area into one of Europe's premier deep tech hubs. Its mission is to nurture startups and fund foundational research in critical sectors like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, microelectronics, and aerospace—the very fields where Europe needs to build a stronger foothold.

By providing funding, mentorship through programs like CDL-Milan, and open innovation services, TEF tackles the systemic problem of converting brilliant research into commercial success. It is a strategic investment in creating not just ideas, but new companies and industries, fostering a culture of scientific entrepreneurship that can compete on the world stage.

Education Without Borders, Access for All

At the heart of Politecnico's vision is a profound belief in the power of people. The university is significantly expanding its international reach to attract and cultivate a diverse pool of global talent. In 2025, it welcomed a record-breaking cohort of nearly 9,000 international students. Building on this momentum, it will launch three new Bachelor of Science degrees taught entirely in English starting in September 2026: Engineering Science in Milan, Industrial Engineering in Piacenza, and Process Engineering in Cremona.

These programs are designed to be uniquely interdisciplinary, equipping students with the tools to navigate a complex, interconnected world. ‘These degrees are a sign of our responsibility towards the new generations, fitting into the wider framework of international competition,’ added the Rector.

This commitment to global talent is matched by an unwavering dedication to inclusion and social equity. The university has committed €9.5 million of its own funds to guarantee the right to study for over 7,000 eligible students, ensuring that financial hardship is not a barrier to a world-class education. This ethos extends to some of the world's most vulnerable populations. Through the UNICORE project, a partnership with the UNHCR, Politecnico has provided university corridors for refugee students, offering them not just an education but a new beginning. This is complemented by scholarships for students from war-torn regions, reinforcing the university's role as a sanctuary for knowledge and hope.

‘The most authentic sense of our mission lies in the individuals and the journeys they make, that intersect and find new life in our classrooms,’ Rector Sciuto emphasized, highlighting that progress must be measured in human impact.

Where Talent Meets the Global Stage

The spirit of this ambitious vision is vividly embodied in the university’s 20 student competition teams. Involving some 900 students from 16 nations each year, these teams—like the Polimi Sailing Team, the PoliMove autonomous racing team, and the Polimi ACM Team for competitive programming—are more than just extracurricular activities. They are real-world laboratories for collaboration, creativity, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

These teams regularly achieve success on the international stage, a testament to the talent and drive nurtured within the university's halls. They serve as a powerful metaphor for Politecnico’s broader mission: to empower young people to tackle complex challenges with ingenuity and a global perspective, turning academic knowledge into tangible achievement.

As Politecnico di Milano charts its course for the coming years, it does so with a clear sense of purpose. It is weaving together threads of technological innovation, European cohesion, global collaboration, and social responsibility into a single, strong fabric. ‘The Politecnico community is united by a common thread that weaves its way across generations, ideas and responsibilities,’ concluded the Rector. ‘The future is not simply the fate that awaits us; rather it is that thread – it is the ideas and hands of those who choose to build it, binding together generations. Where thought unites us, nothing is lost.’