On July 7 and 10, the opening ceremonies of the 2025 China-Italy Advanced Manufacturing Joint Laboratory (CI-LAM) Summer School were held at Fabbrica Italiana Dell' Innovazione in Naples and at the Castoldi Hall of the University of Bergamo, respectively. The summer school is co-hosted by Tsinghua University, the University of Bergamo, and the University of Naples Federico II, with participation from Capital Normal University, Beijing University of Technology, Tongji University, and Shanghai University of Electric Power. Over 50 faculty members and students from the seven universities attended the event. Professor Sergio Cavalieri, President of the University of Bergamo; Mr. Fabio Golinelli, representative of the Bergamo Industrial Association; Mr. Gianluigi Viscardi, representative of the Intelligent Mechatronics Alliance; and Consul General Yao Liangjun from the Chinese Consulate in Milan attended and delivered speeches.

Welcome Speeches

Professor Sergio Cavalieri, President of the University of Bergamo, extended a warm welcome to the Chinese faculty and students and briefly reviewed the development of CI-LAM. Mr. Fabio Golinelli from the Bergamo Industrial Association introduced the overall layout of the manufacturing industry in the Bergamo region and hoped that students would learn more about the Italian industrial ecosystem during the upcoming company visits. Mr. Gianluigi Viscardi, representing the Intelligent Mechatronics Alliance, warmly welcomed the students. Consul General Yao Liangjun from the Chinese Consulate in Milan expressed strong support for the project and wished the students a fruitful learning experience during their visit.

Introduction to Advanced Manufacturing Industry

Next, representatives from leading companies in the advanced manufacturing sector provided introductions to the key research areas and needs of the Bergamo manufacturing ecosystem. Ms. Marta Polizzi from Schneider Electric, Mr. Mauro Viscardi from Kongsberg, Mr. Fabio Golinelli from ABB, Mr. Tiziana Nani from Tennessee, Mr. Valerio Pesenti from the Intelligent Mechatronics Alliance, and Professor Gianluca d'Urso from the University of Bergamo each introduced the current technological directions and talent demands in the fields of smart manufacturing, robotics, and power electronics, giving the students a preliminary understanding of the company visits to follow.

Speeches from Representatives

Professor Wang Jian, Founder of the Science and Technology Automation Alliance, delivered a speech on behalf of Tsinghua University. He reviewed the progress of CI-LAM since its establishment in talent cultivation and research cooperation. He emphasized that manufacturing is a cornerstone of human societal development, and the transformation of science and technology into practical industry is crucial. Driven by advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing will provide a solid foundation for sustainable human development.

Professor Qiu Keni from Capital Normal University’s School of Information Engineering delivered a speech on behalf of the university, expressing gratitude for the thoughtful arrangements by the organizers and looking forward to the students expanding their international perspectives during the two-week program.

Professor Fabiana Pirola from the University of Bergamo delivered the closing remarks, outlining the agenda and participant composition of the summer school. This year’s CI-LAM summer school attracted 53 students from China and Italy, with participants from Tsinghua University’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics and the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the University of Bergamo, the University of Naples Federico II, Capital Normal University, Beijing University of Technology, Tongji University, and Shanghai University of Electric Power. Finally, she officially declared the opening of the summer school.

About CI-LAM

The China-Italy Advanced Manufacturing Joint Laboratory (CI-LAM) was jointly initiated in 2017 by Tsinghua University, the University of Bergamo, and the University of Naples Federico II. It has since become an important platform for cooperation between universities and enterprises in the fields of smart manufacturing, Industry 4.0, robotics, and more. The laboratory hosts a summer school every year, inviting faculty and students from member institutions to participate in lectures, company visits, and laboratory practices in Italy. To date, six successful editions have been held in China and Italy. This year’s summer school runs from July 7 to 18, with events held in Naples and Bergamo, covering key topics in advanced manufacturing such as smart manufacturing, IoT systems, industrial robotics, additive manufacturing, and power electronics.

After the opening ceremony, all faculty and students took a group photo before heading to the ABB Robotics Demonstration Factory in Bergamo for the first company visit.