Company Help Desk

OPEN DESK FOR COMPANIES 

This service is dedicated to all companies with specific needs that can be addressed through the high-value academic expertise made available by the Department of Engineering. The objective is to generate measurable impact (not just relationships), create employment opportunities, and at the same time expand the University’s Third Mission impact. 

 

The procedure operates on a rolling basis and consists of four main phases, briefly described on this page. 

 

PHASE 1 

Objective: to identify a real and measurable company need. 

The company may express its need by completing the form “REQUEST FOR SUPPORT – COMPANIES FORM”, which requires the following information: 

  • Company background (sector, size, market)
  • Specific problem/opportunity
  • Desired objectives
  • Constraints (budget, timeline, internal resources)
  • Preliminary success indicators 

Companies may submit the form to the “Open Desk for Companies” to describe their needs and outline the expected outcomes. 

 

PHASE 2 

Objective: to map competencies and build the most suitable team. 

Once the properly completed form has been received, the Desk will launch an internal assessment to identify suitable professors/researchers/students. After identifying the internal departmental team capable of adequately addressing the company’s needs, all collected information will be used to draft an agreement (see “Agreement_Template_PHASE2_SAMPLE”) including impact objectives, economic sustainability, and incentives for the parties involved. 

 

Based on the case analysis, an agreement may be established according to one of the following models: 

  • Model A – Training / Internship 

Student placement + tutoring only (no cost) 

  • Model B – “Light” Service 

Reimbursement of technical staff working hours 

  • Model C – Applied Research / Prototyping 

Research contract or third-party commissioned research 

  • Model D – Specialized Consulting 

Additional fee beyond the standard allocated hours 

 

The agreement must include: 

  • Measurable objectives (KPIs)
  • Timeline and milestones
  • Responsibilities of the parties
  • Intellectual property management
  • Rules for scientific publications (if applicable)
  • Insurance and regulatory aspects
  • Final impact assessment 

 

Possible KPIs: 

  • Economic: increase in sales, cost reduction, new markets
  • Product: new services/prototypes/industrial processes
  • Human capital: hiring, internships, upskilling
  • Innovation: patents, software, codified know-how
  • Territorial: new branch, increased local economic impact 

For further information, please refer to the main guidelines.