The Politecnico di Milano has celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Roberto Rocca Project, one of the longest-standing research partnerships between Italy and the United States. Launched in 2005 with support from the Fondazione Fratelli Agostino ed Enrico Rocca, the program connects the Politecnico and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), two global leaders in science and technology.
Dedicated to engineer Roberto Rocca (1922–2003), who earned degrees from both institutions, the initiative has supported over 250 faculty members and researchers through 169 fellowships. The program spans key scientific areas such as bioengineering, mechanical and materials engineering, energy, electronics, and computer science, as well as—more recently—architecture and design.
According to a survey by the Politecnico, more than half of the program’s alumni now work in Italy, with many others holding positions in high-tech industries or academia worldwide. The project continues to foster research exchanges, funding opportunities, and joint initiatives, reinforcing a dynamic bridge between Milan and Boston that has become a model for international academic cooperation.