Highlights and Success of the First and Second Editions of SUMMED PV Summer School
The 2024 and 2025 editions of the SUMMED PV Summer School were remarkable experiences, bringing together diverse participants and professionals to foster learning, collaboration, and innovation in the field. Here are some key highlights of the event:
Participation
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61 enrolled students, with 50 participants attending in person (due to VISA issues) in 2024 and 59 enrolled students, with 53 participants attending in person (due to VISA, registration and personal issues) in 2025.
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22 Italian participants in 2024 and 21 in 2025
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28 international participants in 2024 and 32 in 2025, from various countries, contributing to a truly global atmosphere.
Distinguished Speakers
We hosted 24 high-level speakers in 2024 and 17 in 2025, including:
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13 from Italy and 11 from Europe in 2024 and 10 from Italy and 7 from Europe in 2025
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3 from start-ups, 11 from academia, 8 from industry, and 2 from EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology) in 2024 and 3 from start-ups, 7 from academia, 6 from industry, and 1 from EIT in 2025
Unique Experiences
Participants had the opportunity to explore both technical and cultural aspects through:-
Lab and Training activities, a visit to a recycling plant (Feragame S.r.l.) in 2024 and to a R&D plant (Bitron S.p.A.) in 2025, offering insights into real-world industrial practices and cultural tour of the historic Certosa di Pavia and of Giardino della Minerva in Salerno, enriching the experience with local heritage.
All the materials used during the lectures have been made available on a dedicated page accessible to registered participants.
The feedback survey showed that the Summer School was overall a success, though with areas for improvement for the next edition (and we are already working on those).
Lecture ratings
The majority of sessions received high marks (ranging from 7 to 10) across three evaluation categories. While some lectures were not fully aligned with all participants' specific backgrounds, this was expected given the diversity of topics and the participants’ varied expertise.
Key
takeaway
Many attendees found the lectures valuable for personal knowledge and future career development, even when the content did not directly align with their field of study or work.
These results confirm the school’s strong foundation while providing valuable insights for enhancing future editions. SUMMED PV continues to aim for excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact on all participants’ academic and professional journeys.
