Orthogonal School

The main activity of the ELICSIR Foundation is the design and implementation of the Orthogonal School, a two-year excellence program for talented and motivated students who are simultaneously pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or closely related fields (such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Cybersecurity) at a public Italian university, and who are in good standing with their academic progress.

The Orthogonal School is made possible by a generous grant from Schmidt Sciences.

Objectives

The Orthogonal School offers educational paths that complement those typically available in university programs, specifically tailored for the field of computer science, with the aim of developing several transversal skills:

  1. being able to read scientific and technical material in depth

  2. being able to speak in order to communicate ideas effectively, for example, by learning how to deliver high-level presentations

  3. being able to write high-quality technical reports, scientific articles, and project proposals, including entrepreneurial ones

  4. learning independently in order to achieve a specific goal that is ambitious and medium- to long-term

  5. conceiving scientific research as a driver of economic and social prosperity, transforming technical and scientific knowledge into successful products and services

  6. conducting independent and original research

Resources for Students

The Orthogonal School offers its students:

  1. a scholarship for the two-year Master’s degree program

  2. personalized educational paths, guided by mentors and established researchers who oversee their development

  3. a series of meetings throughout the year, which include seminar-style activities combined with moments of project collaboration and synthesis of experiences gained during the personalized educational paths. These meetings also aim to develop a strong sense of identity and community among students and mentors. The meetings take place on weekends. Accommodation and travel expenses are covered by the School (up to a maximum limit, set for each event).

  4. financial and organizational support for an internship at a prestigious academic institution or at a leading international company or startup

Participation in the Orthogonal School is based on a selective procedure.

Board of the Orthogonal School

Lorenzo Alvisi, Cornell University
Ozalp Babaoglu, Università di Bologna
Gianfranco Bilardi, Università di Padova
Alessandro Panconesi, La Sapienza

Coordinator of the orthogonal academic year

Bruno Codenotti

Academic Year Calendar 2024/2025

BOOST Summer School 2025 (second part)

Bologna, 31 august - 05 september 2025


BOOST Summer School 2025 (first part)

Santuario di Oropa, 20-25 july 2025


Fourth Orthogonal Weekend 2024/2025

Isola di San Servolo, Venezia, 16-18 may 2025


Third Orthogonal Weekend 2024/2025

Bertinoro, 21-23 march 2025


The Future Foretold 2025

Isola di San Servolo, Venezia, 14-17 february 2025


Second Orthogonal Weekend 2024/2025

Bertinoro e Bologna, 30 november - 02 december 2024


First Orthogonal Weekend 2024/2025

Bertinoro, 15-17 november 2024


Announcements and Admission Requirements

Participation in the Orthogonal School is based on a selective procedure and is reserved for students enrolled in a Master’s degree program with a focus on computer science at a public Italian university.

Orthogonal School

2nd cycle, academic year 2025/2026

Orthogonal School