University of Insubria

New framework agreement between Insubria University and the National University of San Juan to strengthen cooperation between Italy and Argentina through exchanges, joint research and a postdoctoral course on seismologyWed, 24/09/2025 - 09:53 Paragrafo The University of Insubria has entered into a new important international collaboration, signing a framework agreement with the Universidad Nacional de San Juan, Argentina, signed by Rectors Maria Pierro and Tadeo Berenguer.The agreement confirms the commitment of the two institutions to develop cooperative relations in various areas: exchanges of students, lecturers and researchers, joint research projects, innovation and technology transfer activities, scientific publications, and the organisation of seminars and conferences. It also provides for exemption from university fees for exchange students, who will only pay fees at their home university.The five-year renewable collaboration aims to strengthen ties between Italy and Argentina in the fields of education and research, promoting the development of high-level scientific activities and creating new opportunities for growth and cultural exchange.Confirming the vitality of this synergy, from 22 to 26 September, the postdoctoral course “From Active Fault Identification to Seismic Hazard Characterisation. Application of the ESI-2007 Scale for Earthquake Analysis” is being held in San Juan, taught by Professor Alessandro Maria Michetti of the University of Insubria, internationally recognised for his studies in the field. The Province of San Juan was the epicentre of strong earthquakes in 1944, 1977 and 2021, which are currently being studied using the ESI2007 Intensity Scale, based on the assessment of co-seismic environmental effects.The 45-hour course, with in-person sessions and a field trip, is aimed at researchers in geology, geophysics, civil engineering and related disciplines.(In the photo, Professor Alessandro Maria Michetti with postdoctoral students) Immagine notizia Immagine Data di pubblicazione Wed, 24/09/2025 - 12:00 Argomento notizia Education and training Research and innovation

Six students from the Insubria University degree course in Medical Radiology Techniques are participating in the European BIP-CEP-MIT programme in Brussels.Fri, 12/09/2025 - 11:23 Paragrafo Six second-year students from the degree course in Medical Radiology Imaging Techniques and Radiotherapy at the University of Insubria took part in the intensive European programme “Comparison among European Practices in Medical Imaging and Therapy - BIP - CEP-MIT”, which this year was held at the Haute École Léonard De Vinci in Brussels.The initiative, supported by the Erasmus programme and the University's International Relations Office, involved 23 students and 12 lecturers from Italian, Belgian, Romanian and Portuguese universities. After an initial online phase at the end of August, participants attended face-to-face lessons from 1 to 5 September, alternating between theory and practice. They explored topics such as diagnostic reference levels and the use of the Python programming language for data and image analysis, as well as engaging in clinical simulations, which are essential for preparing for work in a hospital. The experience concluded with presentations in mixed groups, which were positively evaluated by the teachers.The programme was organised for Insubria by Sonia Cuman, a lecturer and tutor specialising in medical image analysis in radiology, with the support of Roberto Di Bella, director of teaching for the degree course, and Massimo Venturini, president, together with Jenny Karousou, delegate for international relations at the School of Medicine, who also took part in the programme as a lecturer.The BIP – CEP-MIT has strengthened collaboration between European students and teachers, comparing different educational systems and emphasising the importance of simulation in preparing future healthcare professionals.Photo: the group of students who participated in the programme, with Professor Jenny Karousou Immagine notizia Immagine Data di pubblicazione Fri, 12/09/2025 - 12:00 Argomento notizia Education and training

Quantum optics: a discovery by the University of Insubria opens new frontiers for biomedical technologiesMon, 08/09/2025 - 14:38 Paragrafo A discovery in the field of quantum optics, led by the University of Insubria, paves the way for new, more accurate and less invasive biomedical investigation techniques. The study, published in the prestigious journal Science Advances, demonstrates that two-photon processes can be enhanced by quantum light even at much higher light intensities than previously thought possible.The result comes from an international collaboration involving, in addition to Insubria, the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow and the Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnology of the National Research Council (CNR) in Milan.Two-photon processes such as two-photon absorption or second harmonic generation are fundamental in advanced biomedical applications: from non-linear microscopy to deep tissue imaging and the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. However, these techniques normally require very intense light beams, with the risk of damaging the cells and tissues being observed.To overcome this limitation, the scientific community has hypothesised over the years the use of pairs of “entangled” photons, i.e. photons that are quantum-correlated. These particular quantum states, produced through parametric conversion processes, can increase the efficiency of two-photon interactions, reducing the intensity required. Until now, however, it was believed that this advantage was confined to conditions of very weak light, which are insufficient for practical applications.The new study led by Lucia Caspani, professor of physics in the Department of Science and High Technology, has overturned this belief. Thanks to an innovative experimental approach, the researchers have demonstrated that the quantum advantage persists even in light conditions up to ten times more intense than those previously considered possible.Using a particular type of quantum light called squeezed vacuum, the researchers observed that second harmonic generation, a typical two-photon process, maintains higher efficiency than classical light, even when the average number of photons per mode exceeds unity. In other words, the quantum advantage does not disappear as soon as one moves from the low-intensity regime, but persists well beyond the threshold accepted until now.This result was verified through a direct comparison between quantum beams and equivalent classical laser beams, under the same intensity and experimental conditions: in all cases, entangled light demonstrated greater efficiency in two-photon processes.‘We have demonstrated that quantum effects remain advantageous at light intensities that do not damage samples but are high enough to allow reliable measurements,’ explains Professor Lucia Caspani. ‘This could greatly expand the use of quantum light in applied technologies, particularly in the biomedical field.’The implications of this discovery are significant: a new generation of quantum light-based diagnostic and medical instruments could be developed, capable of exploring tissues in depth, with sharper and more detailed images, minimising the risks of photodamage. Possible applications range from high-resolution microscopy to spectroscopy and photodynamic therapy.The paper, entitled “Quantum-enhanced second harmonic generation beyond the photon pairs regime”, is authored by an international team comprising Thomas Dickinson, Ivi Afxenti, Giedre Astrauskaite, Lennart Hirsch, Samuel Nerenberg, Ottavia Jedrkiewicz, Daniele Faccio, Caroline Müllenbroich, Alessandra Gatti, Matteo Clerici and Lucia Caspani.The study was made possible thanks to the support of various research bodies and international agencies, including the European Research Council, ERC, EPSRC, Innovate UK and the PRIN programme of the Ministry of University and Research. The article on Phys.org The article on Express Health Care L'articolo di Silicon Scotland The article on Digit News L'articolo di Glasgow Times Documenti Documento Original scientific article Immagine notizia Immagine Data di pubblicazione Mon, 08/09/2025 - 12:00 Argomento notizia Research and innovation

ERACON – Erasmus Congress and Exhibition 2025Mon, 14/07/2025 - 12:39 Paragrafo From June 23rd to June 26th, we had the opportunity to attend ERACON, an event organised every year by the European Association of Erasmus Coordinators (EAEC). The 2025 edition took place in Thessaloniki, Greece.  Our University was represented by Stefano Bina, the Coordinator for Erasmus Incoming Students, and Professor Jenny Karousou, the departmental Erasmus Coordinator for nursing and healthcare-related courses (in the picture).  They had the chance to meet with colleagues from other European Countries to exchange ideas on how to improve the Erasmus mobility and to propose new agreements with other Institutions. The University of Insubria has always promoted internationalisation, especially through the Erasmus program. Each year, many students spend a period of mobility abroad and an equal number is welcomed in Varese, Como and Busto Arsizio from European and non-European partner universities (a total of 610 students, incoming and outgoing, joined the Erasmus program for the 2024/25 academic year).  Therefore, our participation in events like ERACON is crucial for expanding the international mobility opportunities offered to the academic community as well as deepening international relations.  Immagine notizia Immagine Data di pubblicazione Mon, 14/07/2025 - 12:00 Argomento notizia Education and training Institutional events Public engagement