Investing in young people, building the future: 10 years of Circle of Donors
Giordano dreams of sustainable architecture, Davide of quantum computing for energy: they are two of the 26 young talents supported by Poli Alumni.
I found out I’d won the scholarship while I was on Erasmus in Edinburgh and this wonderful news changed my plans. I’m not leaving anymore.
Giordano Porta is one of the recipients of the “Circle of Donors” scholarships awarded each year to the best students at Politecnico di Milano. A €20,000 award, enabling recipients to attend the two-year Master’s degree programme, made possible thanks to the contribution of the university’s Alumni, who committed to providing support for their studies and, as in Giordano’s case, helping prevent “brain drain” as the brightest students often find better conditions abroad.
When I found out I’d won the scholarship, I thought back over all the work I had done in recent months. I’d taken so many exams, and being rewarded for that commitment made me very proud.
Davide Cutrupi, the other recipient, had no intention of leaving Politecnico, which he describes as a second home, but thanks to the scholarship he is considering doing a thesis abroad to make his path even more prestigious. Davide is studying for a Master’s degree in High Performance Computing Engineering and dreams of working in the nuclear energy sector on cutting-edge projects involving supercomputing and quantum computers.
Giordano, on the other hand, is pursuing a Master’s degree in Architecture and Urban Studies and would like to open a studio focused on architecture that responds to people’s housing needs, including those with fewer resources, possibly using materials that do not harm the environment. “What I’d also like is for it to be a multidisciplinary studio involving different professional figures. I’d like to create a space, a place that responds to many different needs.”
How did your families react to the news?
“My parents were proud of this scholarship. They live in Florence,” Giordano explains, “and in previous years I had received a DSU (“Diritto allo studio universitario” financial aid) scholarship, but this one surpassed them all in terms of pride.”
“My parents didn’t go to university, and they make many sacrifices every day to allow me to study in Milan,” Davide adds. “I come from Pescara and life here in Milan is very expensive. But what makes me happy is their moral as well as financial support. For example, my passion for computing was passed on to me by my father, and if I’m here it is also thanks to them.”
Beyond its financial value, the “Circle of Donors” scholarship also offers personal mentoring support to help students achieve specific goals and develop new skills through guidance from an experienced professional. The mentoring service was the reason that motivated Giordano to apply for the programme. “I hope there’s an architect I can talk to,” he jokes. “But what I find important is being able to speak with people who have reached important positions in their careers and ask them for practical advice.”
In this regard, how does it feel knowing that Politecnico Alumni are behind this scholarship?
“What strikes me is the fact that, just as I decided to stay in Milan thanks to the scholarship, there is someone else who believes in us and in the institution where they studied, and continues to do so over time,” says Giordano.
“The fact that there’s a real person behind it makes a difference. Especially if you then have the opportunity to meet them in person. The scholarship builds awareness and gives recognition to your work,” adds Davide.
In person, Davide and Giordano will have the opportunity to meet the Politecnico Alumni who are part of the Circle of Donors programme on 10 November. This year, the meeting has a special meaning. In fact, it marks the 10th anniversary of the initiative, which currently involves 58 donors who have contributed a total of €704,250 in scholarships. An invisible thread linking multiple generations, united by the awareness that giving back even just a part of what one has received from the university helps sustain an endless chain not only of generosity, but also of shared responsibility.
What message would you like to give to the donors?
Giordano speaks about the need to reconnect two worlds:
People say this is a country with no future. I believe instead that it is essential to build a bridge between different generations. These bridges are important because they allow people to stay in Italy and help rebuild a dialogue that has been lost.
I’d like to tell them that what they do is truly important. Believing in new generations today also means believing in Italy, a country that few people still place their trust in. It’s a gesture that gives young people confidence and conveys the concrete idea that they can make a difference and change the destiny of this country. My dream for the future is to one day give something back to the university as a donor, and to this country through my future profession. New generations must not be left alone.