Thirty years of Agripolis

On 26 September 2026 Agripolis celebrates thirty years since its foundation with a day dedicated to the history, evolution and future prospects of the Campus.

The event, entitled “1996-2026: knowledge, innovation and the future in agri-food production, animal health, management and enhancement of ecosystems”, takes place in the Aula Magna dell’Edificio Pentagono at the Agripolis Campus.

Starting at 9.30 am, representatives of the University of Padua, regional and local institutions, professional associations and the research community will discuss the role Agripolis will be called upon to play in the coming decades. Scheduled speakers include Rector Daniela Mapelli, the President of the Veneto Region, Alberto Stefani, the Director of the Agenzia Veneta per l’Innovazione nel Settore Primario, Federico Caner, the Mayor of the Comune di Legnaro, Vincenzo Danieletto, the President of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Roberto Mantovani, the Director of the multifunctional hub of Agripolis, Antonella Peruffo, and the Director of the experimental farm, Francesco Morari.

This will be followed by two round tables addressing the day’s central themes, moderated by Francesca Trevisi. The debate will focus on climate change, food security, the protection of natural resources and biodiversity, animal and human health, technological and digital innovation, and the increasingly close relationship between the University, the local area, businesses and society. 
The first, at 10:30 am, is entitled “Agripolis: thirty years of a vision looking to the future”; participants, together with Rector Mapelli, are Dario Bond, Regional Councillor for Agriculture, Forests, Mountains, Hunting Policies and Fisheries of the Veneto Region, Gino Gerosa, Regional Councillor for Health of the Veneto Region, Renzo Trevisin, President of the Regional Federation of the Orders of Agronomists and Foresters of Veneto, and Fabrizio Cestaro, President of the Regional Federation of the Orders of Veterinary Surgeons of Veneto.

The second round table, at 11:15 am, is “Agripolis 2050: what challenges, what Campus?”; participants are: Paolo Sambo, Vice-rector of Unipd with responsibility for policies for decentralised campuses, Gianni Barcaccia, Director of the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural resources, Animals and Environment, Luca Bargelloni, Director of the Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, Vincenzo D’Agostino, Director of the Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry, Alessandro Zotti, Director of the Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, and Alessandra Liviero, Director of the U.O. Economia e Comunicazione of Veneto Agricoltura - Back Office AKIS.

The morning concludes with an artistic moment and the presentation of the Campus greening improvement project (12 noon), followed by the planting of the first tree envisaged by the project. The event closes with a light lunch, networking and the opportunity to visit Science4All Agripolis.

An opportunity to celebrate a journey spanning thirty years and, above all, to imagine together the future of Agripolis as a place of education, research, innovation and dialogue with the local area.

To take part, registration is required.