Public works: an agreement signed between UNISS and the Sardinia Region 24 October 2025 SASSARI. The Sardinia Region and the University of Sassari join forces to promote innovation and quality in the public works sector. The Memorandum of Understanding for the technical-scientific collaboration between the Department of Public Works and the Sassari University was approved by the Regional Council with a resolution of 1st October last. The agreement was signed today in the Rectorate of the Sassari university by Antonio Piu, Councilor for Public Works of the Region, and by the Magnificent Rector Gavino Mariotti, and provides for the joint implementation of research, study, training and technical support activities for the benefit of regional public policies in the fields of infrastructure, construction, safety and territorial planning. "We have also signed the memorandum of understanding with the University of Sassari, and it is new because until now it was only active with the University of Cagliari - explains the councilor for Public Works Antonio Piu - It is a strategic agreement that will allow the Region to make use of university research to face the challenges of the public works sector with an innovative approach based on scientific evidence". “With this protocol – declared the Rector – the University of Sassari puts its scientific and professional skills at the service of the territory, contributing to improving the quality and sustainability of public works in Sardinia”. The Protocol provides for joint study and research activities in numerous strategic sectors: Architectural quality of public works, with analysis of the impacts of interventions and creation of public value File of public real estate, for a complete mapping of the public real estate asset and its optimal management Regional price list of public works, with updating, implementation and comparison with other regional realities Circular economy and sustainability, through the analysis of the Sardinian construction production chain and the use of materials with low environmental impact Digitalisation and innovation, with the re-engineering of processes and the implementation of information systems Regional observatory on housing conditions (ORECA), for the development of housing policies based on data and needs analysis A central element of the Protocol is represented by the training of the human capital necessary to face the future challenges of the sector. As provided for in article 15 of regional law 8/2018, the agreement provides for the activation of: Qualified training internships at regional offices and public works construction sites, which will allow students and recent graduates to acquire practical skills on: Digital technologies applied to design (BIM, 3D modelling, IoT) Sustainable management of the life cycle of works Innovative techniques for monitoring and maintenance of public assets Administrative procedures and regulations of public contracts Scholarships dedicated to applied research on frontier topics such as: Smart Region and intelligent infrastructure planning Innovative materials and green building Digitalization of processes in public administration Predictive analysis of infrastructure needs Environmental sustainability and urban regeneration The public works sector is going through an epochal transformation. Digitalisation, environmental sustainability, the circular economy, the use of advanced technologies such as IoT for the monitoring of infrastructures, are all skills that tomorrow's professionals must possess. With this agreement, a direct bridge is created between the university and the world of work, training professional figures capable of meeting the challenges of the future. The Protocol also provides for the possibility of activating competence centres, training academies and research and development offices aimed at increasing professional skills in both the public and private sector, creating an integrated training ecosystem that can act as a driving force for the innovation of the entire construction sector in Sardinia. "It's not just about training technicians, but about raising a new generation of professionals capable of combining technical skills, environmental sensitivity, strategic vision and ability to work with advanced digital tools - adds Piu - professionals who will have to know how to dialogue with communities, interpret the needs of the territory and translate them into quality works that create lasting public value. The Region will also be able to translate the results of the research into concrete policies for the territory and offer young people the opportunity to deal with real projects of strategic relevance.""This collaboration represents a virtuous model of synergy between public institutions - underlines the Rector Gavino Mariotti - the University will make its skills available in the Departments and Research Centres". The Protocol, which has a multi-year duration, will be implemented through specific agreements and conventions which will define in detail the projects, operational modalities, timings and the training opportunities intended for young professionals. The agreement is based on the provisions of regional law n. 8/2018 regarding public contracts for works, services and supplies, and regional law n. 22/2016 on social housing, and was signed pursuant to article 15 of law 241/1990 on agreements between public administrations.