Guidance and Orientation: the new edition of the Me.Mo. project (Merit and Social Mobility) to support high-achieving students toward more informed university choices
Amaze. Explore. Motivate. Guide. These four key concepts underpin the new edition of the Me.Mo. (Merit and Social Mobility) residential program, the orientation initiative of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. The program aims to support high-achieving students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds (first-generation students) in making more informed decisions about their university paths.
The program includes three sessions, held between May and June, involving approximately 360 fourth-year high school students. Participants are selected based on merit and their socio-economic background. They will take part in interactive lectures, hands-on workshops, and open discussions with faculty members and distinguished speakers. The initiative has a dual goal: to explore current topics and to share personal academic and professional experiences.
An important step toward greater awareness in making educational choices is also the opportunity to experience university life firsthand—living on campus and engaging with researchers and fellow students, including in informal and social settings.
This edition of Me.Mo. is also funded through the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) project “MERITA – the network for talent,” which involves the Scuola Normale Superiore, the Collegio Superiore of the University of Bologna, the Scuola Galileiana of Padua, and the Sapienza School for Advanced Studies in Rome.
Program of the first residential session
The first Me.Mo. residential session is scheduled for May 5–7, 2026.
On Wednesday, May 5, the opening ceremony will take place in the Main Hall of the Sant’Anna School, featuring institutional greetings from Rector Nicola Vitiello, the Rector’s delegate for the Me.Mo. project Paola Tognini, and Patrizia Alma Pacini, President of the Fondazione Il Talento all’Opera.
This will be followed by: “The Me.Mo. Project: Instructions for Use” with Letizia Bertoli, Head of the Orientation Office; “The Beauty of Relationships” with Cristina Cofacci, Head of Industrial Relations EMEA at CNH Industrial and President of the Sant’Anna Alumni Association; “On the Hearts of Patients and Doctors” with Michele Emdin, professor at the interdisciplinary Health Science Research Center; "Science Fiction? No, It’s Bionics” with Carmen Panepinto Zayati, PhD student in Biorobotics and STEM ambassador.
On Wednesday, May 6, participants will travel to Pontedera to visit the Institute of Biorobotics and tour its research laboratories. In the afternoon, they will return to Pisa for a series of talks:“Accessing University: Tools and Pathways” by CISIA (Laura Bonito and Laila Nabil); “Non-linear Paths: Research on Borders and Migration” with Luigi Achilli, faculty member at the Dirpolis Institute; “Innovation and the Common Good” with Andrea Piccaluga, faculty member at the Institute of Management and President of the Luca Cavallini Foundation; “That’s Where It All Began: Walking the Less-Traveled Paths” with Fabrizio Bartelloni, magistrate and writer.
On Thursday, May 7: “The Curious Fate of Sports Slogans” with former volleyball player Andrea Zorzi; “Knowing Your Potential to Make More Informed Choices” with psychologist Ornella Bucci.
The session will conclude with “The Admission Competition to the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies,” presented by honor students.
Upcoming Me.Mo. sessions
The second residential session will take place from May 19 to 21.
The third and final session is scheduled for June 9–11.
