COMMS4ITALY: A solidarity initiative for Italy by telecom researchers
It is a hard period for Italy due to COVID-19 outbreak, and the scientific community of telecommunications, represented by IEEE Italy Joing ComSoc/VTS Chapter, Consorzio Nazionale Universitario per le Telecomunicazioni (CNIT) and Gruppo Nazionale delle Telecomunicazioni e Tecnologie dell’Informazione (GTTI), decided to offer specifically to young members the possibility to meet, even though virtually, some of the most representative figures of the tlc sector and to learn from them about emerging and future technologies.
Thanks to this initiative, it was possible to learn the vision of the experts on the future of communication, which are the hottest technologies and most relevant challenges in the future.
The initiative was endorsed with enthusiasm by several experts in the field, which gave their availability to offer free online webinars (around 45 minutes) on topics including quantum communications, ICT sustainability, and others. Participants were exposed to the most revolutionary ideas and find interesting issues to study and analyze, but also to interact and communicate, helping to ease the restrictions due to the current isolation period.
Confirmed speakers included:
- Jaafar Elmirghani (Univ. of Leeds, UK) “ICT Sustainability”, April 3rd at 11:00am (Rome time) – Jaafar Elmirghani’s Webinar
- Lajos Hanzo (Univ. of Southampton, UK) “Quantum Communications”, April 3rd at 3:00pm (Rome time) – Lajos Hanzo’s Webinar
- Ashutosh Dutta (IEEE Future Networks Founding Co-Chair) “IEEE Future Networks Roadmap”, April 7, 2pm (Rome time) – Ashutosh Dutta’s Webinar
- Frank Fitzek (TU Dresden, 5G Labs Germany) “5G Rules, who needs 6G?”, April 14, 2pm (Rome time) – Frank Fitzek’s Webinar
This virtual event took place online in the period between April 1st and 15th, 2020, and webinar recordings will available until April 30, 2020 through the indicated link.
Participation was free for everyone registered through the online registration form (https://forms.gle/nMVd7xHRcvs3pqrJ7). Participants are invited to perform a voluntary donation for Italian Civil Protection – EMERGENZA CORONAVIRUS (http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/).
Info: Fabrizio Granelli (fabrizio.granelli@unitn.it)