Italian Parliamentary Delegation visits Instituto Superior Miguel Torga
Italian Parliamentary Delegation visits Instituto Superior Miguel Torga
2026-10-15
ISMT welcomed a delegation from the Italian parliament to discuss public labour policies, continuous training, and the impact of the digital transition with the students.
Instituto Superior Miguel Torga (ISMT) hosted at its new premises in Baixa de Coimbra a delegation representing the parties of the Parliament of Italy, which includes a committee dedicated to public labour policies. The choice of ISMT for this meeting was due to the institution's public ownership. The visit is part of the school's internationalisation strategy, aiming to strengthen international networks in coordination with the 19 municipalities that comprise it.
During the visit, a public session took place promoting direct interaction between the delegation and the ISMT students, a format requested by the delegation itself. During this moment, focused on the labour market and the digital transition, Walter Rizzetto, leader of the delegation, described the exchange with the students as positive and challenging, noting that today's youth are better prepared than previous generations. In response to market challenges, he advised the student community to learn to say "no", arguing that, although it may imply losing a job, it is an essential character-building attitude compared to the habit of always giving affirmative answers.
The delegation leader highlighted the need to focus on continuous training, advocating for its mandatory and certified nature throughout life. According to the official, no future profession will be able to do without this preparation beyond the foundation acquired in higher education, given the profound changes that new technologies impose on the market. Regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), he pointed out that global fears are frequently induced by the owning companies in the United States, with the aim of maintaining an oligopoly through protective regulation, as opposed to the open systems of Europe and China.
Concluding his speech, Walter Rizzetto thanked the city for the welcome, mentioning he felt at home due to the Italian music playing in the public space in Coimbra. The official programme also included a lunch in the city, ending with a reception by the Mayor of Cantanhede and a dinner in the same municipality. The meeting underlines the institution's teaching model, which seeks to reconcile the academic foundation with adaptation to technological changes, combining theoretical knowledge with global reality.