Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia

Over 700 secondary school students attend Linux Day 2026 at the Department of Engineering

Over 700 secondary school students from Modena and the surrounding province took part this morning in Modena’s Linux Day, hosted by the Enzo Ferrari Department of Engineering at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UniMORE). Dedicated to free software and open-source technologies, the event featured talks, demonstrations and workshops for students, professionals, technology enthusiasts, families and members of the public.

“Introducing younger students to technology, research and the places where innovation takes shape is always an important opportunity to help them explore their future options. Initiatives such as Linux Day allow young people to discover at first hand academic disciplines, tools and applications that may become part of their future studies and professional careers. Opening the university to the wider community and providing practical opportunities to engage with scientific and technological knowledge means helping them make more informed choices and recognise the opportunities offered by higher education,” commented UniMORE Rector Rita Cucchiara, who officially opened the event.

Organised through a collaboration between UniMORE, the Municipality of Modena and the Conoscere Linux association, the initiative forms part of Linux Day, Italy’s leading event dedicated to promoting the Linux operating system, free software and open culture.

The aim is to raise awareness of the potential of open technologies and their role in everyday life, schools, universities and the workplace. The event provides an opportunity to explore how digital tools work and to experiment with solutions that encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing and the responsible use of IT resources.

Topics covered included Docker, audio architecture in Linux environments, open-source artificial intelligence models and alternative operating systems. Discussions also addressed MikroTik RouterOS, MCP and VPNs in Linux environments, alongside more in-depth sessions on tools for managing IT infrastructure, networks and data, as well as the challenges associated with digital security.

Alongside the talks, considerable attention was devoted to workshops and hands-on activities, giving participants the opportunity to work directly with software and technological tools. Covering everything from cybersecurity and robotics to artificial intelligence and 3D graphics, as well as systems and network administration and programming, Linux Day offered activities for both those with existing specialist knowledge and those keen to explore these fields for the first time.

The collaboration between universities, public institutions, associations and local communities highlights the value of a shared commitment to developing digital skills and promoting digital literacy among the wider public.

Categorie: International - english, Notizie_eng