(ANS – Parma) – The annual international fair of manufacturing industry (MECSP) took place in Parma on March 29th  – 31st. Students from several Salesian Institutes contributed to the event. As a part of their own training they accompanied visitors in the discovery of the most up to date technical exhibits.

The Fair MECSPE 2012 was laid out in 8 thematic halls and 15 zones of excellence, spaces created to boost inovation and research. It involved the entry of over 1000 expositors,  ten meetings and about 100 mini-conferences organized by firms, universities and research institutes.

Thanks to the collaboration of the organizers of the  MECSPE with the National Salesian Centre - Schools(CNOS SCUOLA) and Professional Training and Updating (CNOS FAP),an active role  was reserved for some young students from Salesian Institutes.

As a part of their own training, 12 students from the 4th and 5th years of the Centres of Milan, Verona, Arese and  Sesto San Giovanni were involved in a course of practical and direct learning, in which they got to know in advance the manufacturing technologies on show in the Fair. Subsequently they were given the task of welcoming and accompanying the students of the accredited Technical Institutes,  to show them the  various innovations and technologies  exhibited.

On this topic Maruska Sabato, Project Manager for the event, said: “The Fair offers  a unique opportunity  for training “on the job” and also constitutes an important link with the relative firms, which are always on the lookout  for young specialists to employ.”

At the end of the event  the 12 students were given a certificate of participation. Furthermore, the students are now called on to write a thesis on a technical subject  displayed in the Fair. The theses are to be finished within a year. They will be evaluated by the Technical Committee of the exhibition and the best three will receive prizes in the 2013 version of MECSPE.

Fr.  Luigi Coffele, the Salesian responsible for the collaboration with MESCP was very satisfied with the initiative: “I cannot but confirm the elements of ‘motivation’ which underpin the experience, not only for the young people directly involved , but also for their class-mates who follow keenly and share with active interest.”

Published 11/04/2012