Engineering and Architecture, 1st edition of the “Umberto Ruggiero” Degree Awards

The initiative of the Italian Thermotechnical Association to commemorate Prof. Umberto Ruggiero, former historic President of ATI, Rector of the Polytechnic University of Bari, and promoter of mechanical engineering in Puglia

3 December 2025

The Italian Thermotechnical Association – Puglia and Basilicata Section (ATI), in order to honor the memory of Prof. Eng. Umberto Ruggiero, a leading figure in Apulian engineering, founder of the Polytechnic University of Bari, former historic General President of the Italian Thermotechnical Association (1993-2001), Honorary General President since 2002, has established degree awards for deserving young engineers and architects, graduates of Master’s Degree and Single-Cycle Degree programmes at the universities of Puglia, Basilicata and Molise.

The initiative, first edition of the “Umberto Ruggiero” Degree Award, is addressed to young engineers and architects from the aforementioned regions who have developed their degree thesis on topics related to energy and environmental systems and technical physics. More generally, ATI’s aim has been to enhance the theses in “Machines and systems for energy and the environment” and “Technical physics and nuclear engineering”.

Research topics and fields very dear to the unforgettable professor of the Polytechnic University of Bari and of ATI itself, aimed at developing the important relationship that universities must have with businesses and the territory.

The award ceremony will take place Thursday, 11 December, at 5:00 p.m. in the “Attilio Alto” Main Hall of the Polytechnic University of Bari (campus universitario).

During the ceremony, scholarships worth 1,500 euros, funded by ATI Puglia and Basilicata, will be awarded, and certificates of merit will be conferred for theses of particular interest selected by the Evaluation Committee (Chairman, Prof. Domenico Laforgia).

The event will be attended by the Rectors of the universities of Puglia, Basilicata and Molise: Umberto Fratino, Roberto Bellotti, Maria Antonietta Aiello, Ignazio Marcello Mancini, Giuseppe Peter Vanoli; the ATI National President-elect, Riccardo Amirante; the President of the ATI Puglia and Basilicata Section, Antonio Ficarella; representatives of the various Confindustria associations and Production and Technology Districts; and political authorities.

Umberto Ruggiero, traces. Prof. Umberto Ruggiero (1927-2024) was among the first graduates in engineering in Bari. Full professor of “machines,” he was the architect of the establishment of the degree programme in mechanical engineering in Puglia in 1969, as well as its Chair in 1981. His legacy has influenced generations of professors and students. He was a Commander of the Republic, appointed by President Sergio Mattarella, and previously a Knight of the Republic, appointed by President Giuseppe Saragat. Founder in the 1970s of the Center for Studies on Applied Economics to Engineering (Csei), later “Universus,” he was a key protagonist and promoter of the creation of the Polytechnic in Bari, Italy’s third, a flagship of his work. He also served as Rector from 1994 until 1997. Professor emeritus of the Polytechnic, dean of Apulian engineers, he was also Councillor and President of the Regional Order of Engineers. 

First President (1993-2001) and then Honorary President (since 2002) of the Italian Thermotechnical Association (ATI), an association that brings together the scientific communities of Energy Machinery Engineers, Technical Physicists of Italy and the industrial world, he was the author of 90 scientific papers, 3 books, two patents, and numerous highly inspiring articles in the national and regional press. 

ATI in briefATI, the Italian Thermotechnical Association: active since 1918, primarily in the fields of regulation and technical standardisation, it was legally established in 1947 following the membership of the universities of Milan, Padua, Bologna, Rome and Naples, the National Research Council, industries in Piedmont and Lombardy, craft installers, and Assistal. From its establishment to the present day, ATI has played a fundamental role in promoting the study of thermotechnics among universities, the production sector and public administration, and soon became a hub for organisations also active in related fields (AiCARR – Italian Association for Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration; ANTA – National Association of Thermotechnicians and Aerotechnicians). Its extensive presence throughout the country, through 16 Regional Sections, has enabled ATI to widely disseminate thermo-energy culture, gaining in a short time the prestige needed to engage authoritatively with national and international public bodies, industry and users.

The article Engineering and Architecture, 1st edition of the “Umberto Ruggiero” Degree Awards comes from Poliba Chronicle.