The University of Pisa and the VITA Foundation – ITS Nuove Tecnologie della Vita have inaugurated a new joint multipurpose laboratory in Pisa, strengthening collaboration between higher education and technical training to better prepare the next generation of life sciences professionals.
Located on Via Cristoforo Colombo, the new 135-square-metre facility includes a chemical and biological laboratory alongside a teaching area with 30 workstations equipped with advanced technologies, including digital systems, robotics, automation and virtual reality tools.
The laboratory has been established to support highly specialised education in the life sciences by bringing together students from ITS programmes and the University of Pisa. By sharing facilities and expertise, the initiative aims to develop advanced technical skills, strengthen collaboration across different levels of education and help address the growing demand for qualified professionals in the sector.
The project forms part of a broader partnership between universities and ITS Academies designed to reduce the gap between workforce needs and available skills while supporting innovation across the life sciences ecosystem.
Development of the new laboratory was supported through dual public funding. Investments were provided by the Tuscany Regional Programme 2021–2027 under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the “Multifunctional Laboratory – ITSVITA” and “Poli-VITALab 2.0” projects, as well as by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) through the Ministry of Education and Merit.
The PNRR funding supports the “LIFE Lab – Learning Innovation for Future Experts” initiative, which aims to strengthen laboratory infrastructure within ITS Academies.
The Pisa laboratory is the latest milestone in the VITA Foundation’s infrastructure development programme across Tuscany. The expansion has already included facilities in Siena and Florence and will continue with the opening of new spaces in Grosseto.
The inauguration brought together regional and academic representatives, including Alessandra Nardini, Tuscany’s Regional Councillor for Education, Universities, Research, Training, Employment, Equal Opportunities and Memory; Marco Macchia, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Pisa and Delegate for Relations with the Local Community; and Andrea Paolini, President of the VITA Foundation – ITS Nuove Tecnologie della Vita.
Speakers highlighted the strategic role of ITS Academies in improving youth employability and supporting life sciences companies through the training of highly qualified professionals. The new laboratory was presented as a practical example of collaboration between educational institutions, regional authorities and industry, helping to strengthen skills development and foster innovation across Tuscany’s life sciences sector.
14.07.2026.
