Drought as a Theme of Territorial Design; Digital Technologies to Drive the Growth of the Country’s Infrastructure Sector; a New System for Calculating the Strength of Reinforcing Steels. These are just some of the topics of the eight winning theses of the 2023-2024 edition of the Alberto Giovannini Prize,” the recognition established by Webuild and named after the economist who passed away in 2019 and was a former President of the Group.
Now in its third edition, the Award is aimed at students and graduates of Engineering, Economics, and Computer Science and is given to the best theses on the innovation and digitalization of infrastructure. Additionally, the “Alberto Giovannini Award” also serves as a call for ideas for the faculties of Engineering, Economics, and Computer Science at all Italian universities to present a doctoral research project. This year’s winner was the Department of Earth, Environment, and Resources Sciences (DiSTAR) at the University of Naples Federico II.
The award ceremony for this edition’s winners took place on June 12 in the Sala Buzzati of Corriere della Sera in Milan, in the presence of Webuild’s CEO, Pietro Salini, who highlighted the value of the winners and the importance of investing in and believing in talent and education.
From Theory to Practice: Work on the Construction Site
The “Alberto Giovannini Award” is not only a recognition of the ability to study and develop innovative projects but also an opportunity to turn that aptitude into practice. Rewarding merit and fostering the desire for growth among young talents are two central goals of this initiative, which focuses primarily on applying innovations in the field of major projects that Webuild is carrying out in Italy and worldwide. The eight winners for the best theses will join the Webuild Group, either at one of the corporate offices or at the main Italian construction sites, with a 12-month fixed-term contract; while DiSTAR received a 50,000 euro grant for the doctoral research project.
Investing in Talent
The winners for the best theses of this edition of the Award come from Bocconi University in Milan, Polytechnic University of Turin, Polytechnic University of Milan, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” and University of Catania. Different stories, one common passion: innovation and its application in major works, research, and discovery. Webuild looks to these young people to shape the future workforce, helping them grow to become the driving force behind major infrastructure projects to be realized in Italy and around the world. It is no coincidence that 45% of Webuild’s employees are under 35, a figure that clearly demonstrates the group’s inclination towards young people and the trust placed in their talents.