As part of the Cluster “Innovation Processes for the Development of Intelligent Territories,” the interns of the Habilitas projectpromoted by the IILA (Italian-Latin American International Organization) and supported by the DGCS/MAECI, visited theITS Iridea of Cosenzaan educational excellence specialized in the agri-food sector and in the sustainable management of agricultural supply chains. During this immersive experience, young professionals from Latin America had the opportunity to get to know up close the innovations and sustainable practices that define the ITS Iridea training path, dedicated to the valorisation of the Calabrian territory and the promotion of a integrated and sustainable agriculture.
The Higher Technical Institutes (ITS) are now a pillar of Italian professional training, offering post-diploma courses that meet the needs of strategic sectors for the country’s economy, such as manufacturing, tourism and, above all, agri-food. Born with the aim of bridging the gap in technical skills, ITS train highly specialized professionals who contribute to the technological transfer and innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises, the beating heart of the Italian production system. ITS offer an educational approach that combines theory with practice, preparing young people to successfully enter the job market with immediately employable skills.
ITS Iridea, in particular, is an institute of excellence that focuses on the agri-food sector, with particular attention to the valorisation of local productions and the sustainable management of resources. Founded to respond to the needs of the Calabrian area, ITS Iridea trains experts capable of innovating and promoting Made in Italy, integrating agriculture 4.0, sustainability and marketing of typical products. Its training offer includes highly specialized courses, such as the one for Higher Technician for the Control, Enhancement and Marketing of Agricultural Production, and stands out for an educational model that integrates theoretical knowledge with practical experiences in the field.
The day’s program began with the speech of Dr. Angelo Macilletti, Director of International Relations of Smart City Instruments and scientific partner of the project, who illustrated the theme “Smart territories: the qualitative turning point of food.” Macilletti explained how Calabria, through a careful combination of technological innovation and sustainability, is emerging as a model of intelligent territory, where agriculture, social innovation and preservation of cultural heritage converge for an inclusive and sustainable future.
Subsequently, Prof. Felicita Cinnante, President of the ITS Iridea Foundation, introduced the interns to the ITS Academy training model. Prof. Cinnante illustrated how ITS Iridea represents an example of a school of excellence, aimed at training professionals capable of combining advanced skills with a profound respect for tradition. The training, which includes over 1800 hours of study, a significant part of which is dedicated to internships in companies in the sector, offers students the opportunity to apply the skills learned in the classroom in the field, thus contributing to the relaunch of regional food and wine excellence and sustainability of the territory.
During the visit, the interns were able to explore the laboratories and activities of ITS Iridea, discovering the advanced technologies and methodologies used for the optimization of agri-food supply chains and the sustainable management of production processes. The training offered by ITS focuses on the use of modern and sustainable technologies, aimed at promoting the excellence of Made in Italy and preserving the Mediterranean diet, a cultural and food heritage that Calabria defends and enhances with dedication.
The program of the “Intelligent Territories” Cluster, scientifically coordinated by Dr. Alfredo Sguglio, CEO of Smart City Instruments spin-off Unical and partner of IILA, aims to promote Calabria as an “Intelligent Territory” – a unique development model in which tradition and innovation merge. “Calabria is a laboratory of innovation,” declared Sguglio, “where historical memory and modern technologies coexist, creating a dynamic and sustainable context. This territory can serve as an example to demonstrate that innovation must not distance us from our roots, but integrate them into a development vision that respects and enhances local culture.”
The morning ended with a refined tasting of typical Calabrian products at the Regional Enoteca of the Province of Cosenza. In a convivial atmosphere, the participants of the Habilitas project were able to appreciate the extraordinary richness of the Calabrian gastronomic heritage, a perfect symbol of the meeting between tradition and sustainable innovation. All the products tasted were carefully prepared by the students of ITS Iridea, who masterfully applied the skills acquired, demonstrating how the training received combines technical excellence and valorisation of the territory.
This experience allowed the interns to grasp the value of the integrated education offered by ITS Iridea, which not only promotes regional food and wine excellence, but also trains professionals capable of enhancing and innovating traditional Calabrian products with a sustainable approach.
