Think. Code. Optimize. Repeat. is a challenge for students who love algorithms, data, and efficiency — and who enjoy turning theory into impact.  
In this 8-day challenge, participants will tackle real algorithmic problems proposed by companies such as *U-Hopper* and *Thinkin*, working in small teams to design, implement, and optimize their solutions. The goal: to find the most efficient approach to a complex computational task under real constraints.

The challenge is part of the Algorithms and Data Structures courses at the University of Trento, but is also open to motivated students from other universities with solid programming skills in C or C++. Each team submits its code to an online platform that automatically evaluates performance and correctness, maintaining a live ranking that reflects real-time progress.

Beyond the competition, the challenge is an opportunity to learn by doing — to experiment, iterate, and improve based on data and feedback. Participants will gain valuable experience in algorithmic design, performance optimization, teamwork, and problem solving.

At the end of the challenge, the best teams will present their strategies in a public event, sharing insights on how to turn theoretical knowledge into efficient, real-world solutions.

If you enjoy the thrill of coding, the beauty of optimization, and the satisfaction of making algorithms run faster — this challenge is for you.

Member universities may require additional information from applicants. Please read the application information section carefully and include any extra required information in this section.

Other

CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document that summarizes your educational and professional history. It must provide a detailed overview of your academic and work experience, skills, achievements, and qualifications.

Motivation letter is a personal statement and it might include a brief introduction of yourself, explanation why are you interested in the learning opportunity you are applying to, any relevant experience or skills that you have, your goals and how this opportunity will help you achieve them, This document should not be more than 400 words.

Motivation Letter

Transcript of Records is an official document issued by your home university. It specifies the name of the institution, the academic programme you are enrolled in, the list of courses taken up until the current period, the exams or tests you passed, the grades and the credits you earned. 

Transcript of Records

University of Trento

Think. Code. Optimize. Repeat.

Entrepreneurship, technology and innovation

Critical and innovative thinking

Inter-personal skills

This challenge aims to explore the future of social innovation and entrepreneurship and involve students into an active learning environment, in collaboration with the Challenge Provider, ESIC. Students will be involved in an innovative learning environment, dealing with in-presence participatory workshops and lectures and online meetings and seminars with experts and academics. Specifically, participants will be instructed to approach the main contents of the course according to Futures Literacy perspective, to develop anticipatory and proactive scenarios. During the challenge students will get inspirational talks from professionals who have worked with international cooperation/NGOs and international organizations, and meet educators and practitioners involved in the third economy sector. The students from different academic backgrounds, organized in groups, will be encouraged to explore creative and challenging life contexts and to design training programs for future social entrepreneurs.Their projects will be evaluated and discussed during the final week in the presence of ESIC and ECIU representatives and could contribute to the future agenda of social economy sectors in Europe.

The 2026 edition of the Challenge will offer in-presence lectures by researchers of both Trento and Linkoping University, participatory workshops and online seminars with international experts and practitioners. Innovative learning models will be implemented in classes and assessments evaluation, encouraging students' creativity and critical thought; each group of participants will be supervised by Teamchers that will assist them in dealing with their projects and progressing in their learning paths. Finally, issues related to European innovation and cultural diversity could also be explored during the two weeks of international mobility (Trento and Norrkoping Campus) during meetings with community and institutional representatives that may contribute to enrich the participants’ educational experience.

Engaging with the Futures - Resilient Communities

Developing Futures Knowledge for Social Innovation

Resilient communities

**Challenge objectives and learning outcomes**  
The main goal of this innovative activity is to equip law students with practical skills needed for future lawyers. This course aims to be an effective laboratory where students under the supervision of the academic staff as well as practicing lawyers (advocates, notaries, judges) will acquire their first practical experience solving real-life legal issues.  
Realization of this activity has not only crucial educational goal but also an important social and humanitarian component since legal services will be provided on pro-bono basis to the vulnerable groups of the society.  
Students will gain practical skills in solving real-life legal issues, namely:  
1. the ability to hold initial legal consultation with the client and maintain the records concerning it;  
2. the ability to find relevant legal norms on the basis of which a specific case can be resolved and to analyze them in view of the specific circumstances of the case;  
3. the ability to prepare a grounded legal opinion to the client;  
4. the ability to draw up basic procedural documents;  
5. they will acquire the skills of establishing contact with state authorities and bodies of local self government as well as skills of connecting with legal practitioners;  
6. ability to use comparative method while working with the clients who are forced migrants and for this reason there is a challenge to face the necessity of understanding the other legal system;  
7. development of professional and ethical qualities (for example, respect of privacy of the client, professional secrecy);  
8. ability to work in the team as well as individually;  
9. skills of client interaction;  
10. skills of intercultural communication while working with the foreigners who receive temporary protection in Italy

a group of people sitting around a table with laptops

Free Legal Assistance to the Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection in Italy

Solution of real-life legal cases

Media and information literacy

Global citizenship

Econtrovertia APS is an environmental nonprofit operating in Trentino and Bolivia, working in four different areas: environmental sustainability, digital detox, volunteering, and international solidarity. Econtrovertia APS spreads environmental culture through its international blog “greenmarked.it,” carries out environmental education projects in schools of Trentino, promotes digital balance with its “Social Media Detox” platform, and supports agroecology in Bolivia through its “Agrecol Trees” project. Guided by a commitment to critical and contrasting discussion, Econtrovertia APS strives to meet the diverse needs of both humanity and the environment with the highest consistency and authenticity.

The “Social Media Detox” platform by “Econtrovertia APS” encourages digital balance and face-to-face relationships, fights against digital addiction, and promotes a freer and more connected to nature lifestyle. It involves a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about the negative effects of excessive digital use and promoting a more balanced lifestyle.

Born in 2017, the Social Media Detox offers five types of digital detox experience:

1. DETOX CAMP

The Detox Camp is an immersive digital detox experience in natural environments of Trentino. Smartphones and digital devices are collected at check-in and replaced by workshops belonging to various areas: psychology, sports, arts, recreation, environment and nature. The Detox Camp format, lasting one or more days, is particularly suitable for youth camps, school trips and welcoming days.

1. DETOX @ SCHOOL

“Detox @ School” is a collection of school workshops that encourage a healthy and balanced use of digital technologies. The activities, run by educators and experts, are accompanied by an anonymous questionnaire on students’ digital habits and lifestyles, the results of which are sent to the school coordinator. The “Detox @ School” format is particularly suitable for school initiatives related to mental health, addiction, and the prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles. In addition, “environmental” activities can be included in school projects that incentive students’ active citizenship.

1. DETOX CHALLENGE

“Detox challenge” is an immersive digital education project revolving around the concept of “challenge.” Following a day of digital detox, two detox challenges are assigned to each participant. All challenges encourage participants to limit their use of apps and digital devices to two weeks. A self-assessment and control test will reward participants who successfully complete the challenge. The experience is reviewed through the analysis of the data collected, a discussion with a digital addictions psychologist, an art workshop and a public presentation of the results and artwork.

1. BLACK MIRROR ESCAPE ROOM

Developed by educators, artists, psychologists and emotional intelligence experts the “Black Mirror Escape Room” project is an immersive training experience based on the unsettling universe of the Netflix series “Black Mirror.” By overcoming challenges, puzzles, and digital deceptions, participants must escape from the room, flee from a dystopian and hyper-digitized future, combat digital addictions, and preserve their digital balance.

1. DETOX VEGETABLE GARDEN

The Detox Vegetable Garden is a community garden where participants can disconnect from their screens and get out of the house, engage in gardening activities, and take care of seedlings and vegetables. A small farming space available from April to November, where every phone-free hour of volunteer work is recorded and allows participants to take home a basket of organic crops. From the field to the table, the Detox Vegetable Garden is an ideal location for finding serenity and disconnecting from social media in a supportive environment.

For more info:

Website: [socialmediadetox.it](https://socialmediadetox.it/) 

Telegram group chat: [@socialmediadetox](https://t.me/socialmediadetox)

a group of people sitting on rocks in a grassy field with mountains in the background

Social Media Detox Camp

**Teaching Methods**

A large autonomy is given to the students to organise and achieve their goals.

Students will work in small teams, with each team assigned to a challenge.

Teams will identify and address a challenge/question in the context of their assigned case, such as considering alternate business models or analysing go-to-market scenarios. Students need to ground their reflections by exploring some specific areas: business environment, competition, suppliers, partners, environmental and sustainability issues, etc, both deductively (i.e., through desk research) and inductively (i.e., through field work) as appropriate.

To address their challenge/question, the students will cover the 4 generic steps of an explorative business analysis:

• Identification of the relevant challenge/question,

• Acquisition of applicable concepts/methods/tools,

• Observations (data collection) on a selected part of the case,

• Analysis and interpretation.

Students’ supervision comprises:

• A few group sessions to introduce and detail the assignments, and help students identify the challenges/questions,

• 1-to-many mentoring sessions, where teams will be coached in completing their case study, and progress will be monitored,

• A final oral defence.

Each student will be in charge of a part of the group’s delivery, with specific “roles” defined during the mentoring sessions.

The companies responsible for the case will contribute to supervision, provide data/contacts, participate in the oral defence and/or offer other meeting occasions to ensure rooting of the business assignment in real life.

While the course foresees several (4-5) plenary lectures covering topics that are of general use to all students, most of the time will be dedicated to group mentoring.

**Course Goals and Learning Objectives**

After completion of the I&E Studies course, students should…

• … have the ability to apply, synthesise, and evaluate prior I&E learning within a specific innovation or entrepreneurial project setting and a specific innovation area.

• … have the ability to conduct a business analysis, make decisions and formulate recommendations or justify actions in a real environment.

• … have the ability to choose and apply relevant concepts/methods and/or tools and collect relevant data for conducting a business analysis and making decisions in a real environment.

• … have the ability to produce a professional writing on a business analysis topic.

• … have the ability to apply concepts, methods and tools pertaining to identifying and assessing the impact/value of a technology in an industry, market and/or organisation and the innovation / business opportunities it creates.

• … have the ability to reflect critically on issues related to the development of ICT solutions, and their potential pitfalls due to market and/or social reasons.

• … have developed a sense of "out of the box thinking" and creative approaches to problem solving, even in contexts that would otherwise suggest a technical solution.

• … have the ability to make value and ethical judgements about the development of technological and business solutions.

• … have the ability to work as a team with other students to complement each other's competences and perspectives.

I&E Studies

Covered topics:

- Basics of Social Challenges
- Communicating Innovation
- Master Mind
- Soft Skills Beyond Research

Soft Skills

Intra-personal skills

European universities are currently facing major challenges within the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education and research. Effective leadership, both at present and in the future, is indispensable at all levels within universities. In this context, ECIU seeks to engage its students as the next generation of leaders and managers. This challenge is unique in the world and is distinguished by its diversity in several respects, bringing together participants from different academic disciplines and from across ECIU member universities.

This student-focused challenge builds upon the longstanding Leadership Development Programme for ECIU staff, which has been successfully delivered for over twenty years. This challenge is specifically designed for students who may not yet possess formal leadership experience but who demonstrate a strong interest in acquiring and developing such skills. The insights and competencies acquired through this challenge are intended to be transferable to participants’ ongoing and future involvement in ECIU activities.

The challenge has different focuses:

- The exploration and further development of personal leadership styles,
- Examination and discussions of the latest developments in (European) higher education policy,
- Understanding and exploration of vision and strategy development, organizational cultures and leadership styles within universities,
- Experimental learning through an institutional immersion at the University of Trento, including site visits to innovative projects
- Engagement in challenge-based learning by carrying out a real-life project independently in teams.

This challenge is closely aligned with the ECIU University Vision 2030, which articulates a holistic view on the interconnection of higher education, research, and innovation, emphasising the integration of these domains with both regional and the European ecosystems, with the aim of generating sustainable, societal impact through in innovative approaches. During the challenge, students will work collaboratively on real-life problems confronting universities, particularly those associated with new, flexible and personalized educational pathways, as well as broader issues concerning the establishment of a truly European university and ecosystem that serves society.

The challenge is targeted at ambitious students with a strong interest in leadership and organizational development in the public sector, especially in higher education. Affiliation with ECIU or experience in university policy work is considered advantageous.

We expect the participating students to engage fully (being full-time present) at both the online sessions and the in-presence week in Trento. Physical presence during the Trento week is compulsory, as the sessions will not be streamed. Furthermore, students must commit sufficient time to collaborative work on the challenge - during the Trento week as well as in the subsequent period.

The seminars are taught in English. The sessions are highly interactive in nature, incorporating (small-group) discussions and exercises. Accordingly, proficiency in both written and spoken English are a prerequisite for participation.

Navigating the Future of Universities in Europe

ECIU Student Leadership Development Programme - Transforming Universities in Times of Transition

The Challenge invites students to support five local companies from the Trentino region of Italy, operating in the food and beverage sector (meat-based snacks, wine, spirits, and craft beer). These companies are seeking to expand internationally and are looking for insights on which foreign markets offer the most promising growth potential.  
Now in its second edition, the challenge builds on the successful experience of the previous year and continues to offer students a unique opportunity to engage with real companies. Students will first attend dedicated sessions to learn how to conduct international market research, including how to assess market attractiveness, interpret consumer and competitive data, and navigate cultural and regulatory differences. They will then apply these methods in teams to analyze selected markets and recommend the most suitable country for expansion. Working in international and multidisciplinary groups, students will engage with companies through presentations, mentoring, and on-site visits. They will produce a comparative research report and deliver a final team presentation to company representatives. This challenge represents the applied component (4 ECTS) of the 8 ECTS International Marketing course, and offers a hands-on opportunity to develop practical skills in market analysis, teamwork, and professional communication — while contributing tangible value to real businesses.

a group of people looking at a large screen with writing on it

Go Global Challenge

- and grow your skills along the way

Covered topics:

- Business Empathy Essential
- Challenge Basics
- Fundamentals of Design Thinking
- Pitch Yourself
- AI and Startup-Investor Interaction

Soft Skills and AI

Vallagarina is a very central place when considering climate change and biodiversity loss: it is located on the southern side of the Alps, a hotspot for climate change, and thus an ideal place to create and test solutions to adapt cities to its effects and reduce its causes.

ApT Rovereto e  Vallagarina is the local consortium for tourism development and is looking for strategic and innovative solutions to shape the future of tourism in Vallagarina. This important economic sector will need to reshape itself.

Station 4 Transformation is a New European Bauhaus-based hub for public and civic participation whose goal is to imagine and experiment with sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful ways to live in the city and the valley, also to spread them to other cities in Europe.

You will be a host here and enjoy some peculiar experiences to “taste” what it means to be a tourist here.

You will also talk to local entrepreneurs and operators to understand today’s challenges and plans for the future, and you will join some classes and workshops to learn about the changes this area is going to undergo and how they will affect the tourism industry.

Futureproof Tourism: Co-Designing Sustainable Journeys in Vallagarina

Rethink Tourism Through Innovation, Inclusion, and Biodiversity

Energy and sustainability

This module represents the second essential part of a comprehensive course designed to guide learners through the complete data-centric pipeline of industrial process control. It offers a hands-on approach to mastering every stage, starting from the design of data acquisition systems for a specific process, to collecting, storing, and preprocessing the acquired data. Learners will then progress to using this data to train accurate and reliable process models, which can ultimately be employed to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and outcome of industrial operations. In this second part, the focus is on data exploitation using advanced machine learning techniques. Participants will be introduced to a range of methods, from traditional Statistical Process Control (SPC) approaches to modern AI-driven strategies. These include tools for detecting process non-conformities, identifying patterns, and classifying operational status to support informed decision-making. By combining theory with practice, learners will gain a robust understanding of how data can be transformed into actionable insights for process improvement. Overall, this engaging learning experience equips future industry professionals with a formidable mix of knowledge and technical skills that are highly valued in the evolving field of industrial automation and data analytics.

Multi-Agent Systems for Smart Machining II

Machine-Learning models for data analysis, classification and prediction of process
conditions

Bikeflip is the European marketplace for second-hand bicycles and components, reshaping how people perceive and engage with pre-owned bikes by turning the circular economy into a real alternative to buying new. With secure payments, insured shipping, and dedicated support, Bikeflip removes the typical barriers of distance and trust in online transactions. Founded in 2021, Bikeflip is a fast-growing startup that began in Italy, Austria, and Germany, and now enables shipments across Europe. It is backed by a strong cycling community and top MTB athletes like Red Bull icon Fabio Wibmer, slopestyle rider Andrea Maranelli, and downhill world champion Loïc Bruni. Bikeflip aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, and 13 by promoting urban cycling, encouraging circular economy through bike reuse, and reducing CO₂ emissions by making bicycles more accessible as a sustainable alternative to motorized transport. Bikeflip’s headquarters is in Rovereto, within Progetto Manifattura, a leading green-tech hub. The Operations and Marketing teams work on-site, while developers contribute remotely from across Europe. The platform is entirely developed in-house with a custom-built system designed for scalability.

Second Life, First Choice

Rethinking Second-Hand Bicycles Across Europe

Circular economy

Transport and Mobility

**Why Join?**  
Universities are navigating rapid global transformations that demand new strategies, innovative mindsets and strong international cooperation.

The International Staff Week 2026 at the University of Trento offers a dynamic learning experience for administrative and technical staff working in international mobility and research support.

Through a Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) approach, participants will collaborate in international teams to explore how universities can remain future-ready, resilient and sustainable.

**What to expect**

- Hands-on Challenge-Based Learning activities
- Two thematic tracks: International Mobility or Research
- Peer learning with colleagues from European and international universities
- Strategic perspectives on the future of higher education
- Networking and cultural activities in Trento and surrounding areas

Please note: this activity is open only to university staff members.

Member university

University of Trento

Member university

University of Trento

Learning opportunities of University of Trento