La Made in Italy Academy, established at the University of International Studies of Rome as part of the activities of the Made in Italy Research Center (MADEINT), offers a training program aimed at exploring the structural and systemic characteristics of the Made in Italy universe, as well as the global challenges and strategic opportunities in light of current geopolitical, technological, and economic transformations. Challenges, scenarios, and sectors will be the three main analytical perspectives through which the meetings will develop.
The Academy stands out for its presence of university professors, business managers, business consultants, analysts, and representatives from the institutional world, supporting the Italian manufacturing sector and ensuring a better representation of the complexity of the Made in Italy system.
The Academy stands out for its presence of university professors, business managers, business consultants, analysts, and representatives from the institutional world, supporting the Italian manufacturing sector and ensuring a better representation of the complexity of the Made in Italy system.
Information
The second edition of the Made in Italy Academy is organised within the activities of the MADEINT Research Center at the 'Università degli Studi Internazionali di Roma – UNINT.
The course lasts one year (academic year).
It will start in the month of November 2026 to end in June 2027.
The calendar provides for an average monthly appointment, subject to changes.
The total is 9 training sessions for a total of 26 hours of training (18 hours of teaching + 8 hours of final project work).
Each monthly appointment is scheduled to last an average of 2 hours, approximately from 14:00 PM to 16:00 PM.
The meetings will take place both at the University of International Studies of Rome and at external locations.
Programme
The Academy develops through eight educational areas defined below:
- Geopolitics and internationalization strategies;
- international trade, entry strategies and competitive positioning of Made in Italy products;
- emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in Made in Italy sectors;
- goldsmith sector, culture and heritage of Made in Italy;
- agri-food marketing and promotion of typical Italian products;
- sustainable innovation and competitiveness in Italian production chains;
- influencer marketing, digital communication and content creation for Made in Italy;
- packaging, design, and communication of Made in Italy.
Calendar of the second edition
Session I | November 20, 2027, 14:00–17:00 PM
Launch of the Made in Italy Academy
Made in Italy meets the world: the strategic role of international trade fairs in the artistic perfumery and cosmetics sectors
Session II | December 11, 2027, 10:00 a.m.–13:00 p.m.
Scientific conference
Authenticity and Regulatory Obligations for Brands and Influencers Between Social Media and AI
Session III | January 15, 2027, 15:00–17:00 PM
Country Focus
Made in Italy in the United States: New Business Strategies in a Changing Geopolitical Context in collaboration with IC&Partners and SACE
Session IV | February 26, 2027, 14:00–16:00 PM
Italian jewelry identity: a dialogue with art, history, and fashion
Session V | March 2027, 14:00–16:00 PM
Telling the story of Italian olive oil: quality, sustainability, and the value of the territory
Session VI | March/April 2027, 14:00–17:00 PM
Country Focus
Exports and new geographies of Made in Italy: the role of the ICE agency.
Focus on Mexico: culture, markets, and opportunities for Italian businesses in collaboration with IC&Partners and ICE
Session VII | April 2027, 14:00–16:00 PM
Innovation, sustainability, and competitive dynamics in the Italian pasta market
Session VIII | May 2027, 14:00–16:00 PM
Think outside the box! The strategic value of packaging: design and sustainability.
Session IX | June 2027
The Academy's closing event on Artificial Intelligence and Made in Italy
Recipients
The MIA is designed to integrate the university courses of the UNINT master's students enrolled in training courses focused on Made in Italy but also students enrolled in the third year of UNINT three-year degree courses and UNINT master's degree courses, as well as the students enrolled in similar study programs at other universities (third year of undergraduate and graduate degree programs), interested in acquiring specialized knowledge on economic and managerial aspects of the Made in Italy system. Given the highly specialized nature of its training offerings, however, the Academy is also open to those who, having completed their university studies, wish to delve deeper into aspects of Italy's productive and economic fabric.
Furthermore, as part of UNINT's collaborations with trade associations and stakeholders in the manufacturing and consulting sector (e.g., Federitaly, IC&Partners), selected professionals with bachelor's or master's degrees may be admitted. They will be able to attend the training program as auditors, fostering active dialogue between the academic world and the Made in Italy professional community.
Lessons for participants are provided (and participation is required) in-presence at the headquarters of the University of International Studies of Rome (Via delle Sette Chiese, 139, 00147 – Rome).
Some lessons may be held at external locations in Rome.
For listeners only (professionals), there is the option to follow the meetings via livestream for up to 5 sessions, barring impediments in the case of external venues. In-person participation is required for the opening meeting and the closing event.
Selection criteria and application procedures
The second edition of the MIA includes a maximum of 50 participants (40 for UNINT students and 10 external participants). Therefore, given the limited number of places, admission to the Academy is subject to passing a selection process based on qualifications.
When examining the qualifications submitted by students, the selection committee will primarily evaluate the candidate's grade point average (GPA) achieved throughout their academic career and the number of credits earned in the 2025/26 academic year. Candidates are therefore invited to submit transcripts of exams taken and to provide their weighted GPA. If the candidate is not currently attending a university course, they must submit their GPA from their last degree course and indicate their final degree grade.
To apply for participation, candidates (participants and listeners) can fill out the registration form available at the following link: link.
The deadline for submitting applications is 12 November 2026.
For any information send an e-mail to the address mia@unint.eu
Final exam and certificate of participation
For participants:
At the end of the Academy, participants will be asked to give a presentation on a topic covered during the seminar series. The presentations will be conducted during two final exam sessions. A specially appointed committee will divide students into groups of 3-4 and assign each group a topic. Students will prepare a 15-minute presentation and answer questions from the committee. In evaluating the presentation, the committee will consider both the presentation style (structure, clarity) and the level of depth demonstrated by the students in the group on the topic. If the evaluation process is successful, participants who have attended at least 80% of the classes (at least 7 sessions) may request a final attendance certificate, which is equivalent to 4 University Training Credits (CFU). For students enrolled in the UNINT Master's Degree in International Economics and Management, the CFU credits may be recognized as laboratory or as additional credits. The nine days and the work on the final thesis amount to a total of approximately one hundred and fifty hours of study. MIA students who have attended 80% of the sessions in person (at least seven) may choose not to take the final exam and still request a certificate attesting to their participation in the Academy seminar series.
For listeners (professionals):
At the end of the Academy, listeners who have attended 80% of the sessions (at least 7 meetings), according to the methods described above, will be able to request a certificate of participation.
Participation fee
Participation It's free for UNINT students:
- regularly enrolled in the third year of UNINT three-year degree courses;
- regularly enrolled in UNINT master's degree courses.
- that they have had access to the path of excellence starting from the 2025/26 academic year;
- regularly registered with the UNINT's Master's Degree in Export and International Marketing Management for Made in Italy Products
For external participants (and those not included in the above-mentioned categories) and for listeners, a participation fee of 199 euros.
In both cases, the payment must be made to the bank account with IBAN IT 86 Z 05387 03231 000049348184 (BIC: BPMOIT22XXX) in the name of the University of International Studies of Rome (UNINT), indicating the following parameters in the reason for payment: Name, Surname, Tax Code and MIA under the “Course” heading.
For any information send an e-mail to the address mia@unint.eu
Scientific direction
Giada Mainolfi
Associate Professor at UNINT and Scientific Director at MADEINT.
Partners
The Academy's Impact: Testimonials from First Edition Participants
I attended the first edition of the Made in Italy Academy as an external professional, completing the entire training program. Working in export for an Italian company focused on the US market, I was looking for an opportunity to broaden my perspective beyond day-to-day operations, and the Academy perfectly met this need. Its strength lies in the variety and quality of its content: from geopolitical scenarios to internationalization strategies, from emerging technologies to heritage management, each session offered a different perspective on the Made in Italy system, thanks to high-profile speakers including academics, managers, and institutional representatives. The focus on the US market, in particular, allowed me to combine field experience with a more structured analysis of the dynamics at play. Beyond the immediate professional enrichment, the Academy represents a tangible asset for one's growth path. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to understand the Made in Italy system from a broad and strategic perspective, combining academic solidity with professional concreteness.
Ilaria Bernardinetti, Junior Export Manager at Vero International
Attending the Made in Italy Academy was an extremely formative experience, allowing me to fully understand the strategic value of Italian know-how in international markets. Among the various sessions, I found the focus on the historical and communicative richness of the fashion industry particularly interesting, along with the analysis of the wine sector, focusing on sustainability, new generations, and emerging markets.
Francesca Corte, UNINT master's student
An excellent experience. It's a well-organized program, ideal for both students and full-time workers. The hybrid format (in-person and online) works very well and allows for maximum use of the lessons. I recommend this Academy to anyone who wants to explore Made in Italy from various perspectives.
Elena Isola, Financial Advisor at Poste Italiane
Participating in the Made in Italy Academy was a very interesting and formative experience. I particularly appreciated the opportunity to explore topics related to Made in Italy from different perspectives, yet always connected by a common thread. The meetings allowed me to delve deeper into topics I'm studying in my university studies, bringing concepts covered in lectures to life. What I found most useful was the direct interaction with professionals and companies who actually work in these sectors: hearing their experiences added value to the entire program and clarified the connection between theory and practice. I also appreciated the organization of the meetings spread throughout the year, as it allowed me to follow the program consistently without condensing it into a single period. Overall, the Made in Italy Academy was an opportunity for in-depth study, discussion, and personal growth that I would recommend to other students interested in Made in Italy, communication, and Italian businesses.
Maddalena Reginato, UNINT master's student
