The letter of intent for the first European network on paper education signed in Lucca: 11 universities together for innovation and research
The signing took place during the opening ceremony of the academic year of the Master’s Degree in “Engineering of Paper and Cardboard”
On the occasion of the opening ceremony of the academic year of the Master’s Degree in Engineering of Paper and Cardboard ‘ at the University of Pisa, the official signing of the Letter of Intent took place in Lucca, aimed at establishing the first European network of university cooperation in the paper and cardboard sector.
The signing of the document saw the participation of 11 European universities from 9 countries:
• Austria: TU Graz – University of Technology
• Finland: Aalto University, Åbo Akademi University and University of Eastern Finland
• France: Grenoble INP – Pagora, UGA
• Germany: Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences
• Italy: University of Pisa
• Norway: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Poland: Lodz University of Technology
• Czech Republic: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
• Spain: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya
Several European universities and industry representatives took part in the meeting to launch the first Permanent Training Table.
The importance of the network and the growth of the university hub in Lucca
The creation of this network marks a strategic step for setting up a permanent platform for cooperation between academia and industry. The agreement will make it possible to develop double degrees and shared study programs, promote student and faculty mobility through Erasmus programs, set up joint research labs on innovation and ecological transition, and strengthen the talent network at a European level. The initiative reinforces Lucca’s role as a European capital and hub for paper training and research.
The Master’s Degree program, promoted by the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering at the University of Pisa and managed with the Fahre Foundation at the San Micheletto complex, has seen steady growth and strong international prestige.
For the academic year, hundreds of applications came from all over the world for only 30 available spots, guaranteeing high-quality training and immediate job placement.
The course is supported by the Cassa di Risparmio di Lucca Foundation, by Assocarta, and by numerous leading companies in the paper district: Andritz, Bw Converting, Cartiere Carrara, Celtex, DsSmith, Eurovast, Fosber, Lucart, Lucense, Oradoc, Paper Board Alliance, Sofidel, Toscotec, Wepa.
A preparatory document for the Multilateral Document of Cooperation
The Letter of Intent expresses the shared commitment of university representatives to promote the initiative within their respective institutions.
The document is explicitly preparatory for the approval and subsequent formal signing of the Multilateral Cooperation Agreement that will define the operational structure of the collaboration. The development and coordination of the network will be supported directly by CEPI (Confederation of European Paper Industries), ensuring a constant link between academic paths and the industrial needs for innovation, digitalization, and sustainability in Europe.
