Niccolò Gioni, a Politecnico di Milano alumnus in Mathematical Engineering, is the winner of the Marco Seclì Scholarship

With these words, Niccolò Gioni—winner of the Marco Seclì Scholarship—describes the journey that led him to excel in the Master’s degree program in Mathematical Engineering at Politecnico di Milano.

Established by Marco Seclì’s family and friends, the scholarship is dedicated to commuting students who, alongside their academic commitments, pursue extracurricular interests and activities. It is an award that resonated deeply with Niccolò’s own experience: for years, he made the daily commute between Busto Arsizio and Milan, turning the time spent on public transport into an opportunity to study, reflect, and organize his work.

His passion for mathematics and research will now guide him toward a new international challenge. Next academic year, Niccolò will move to Paris, having been selected for a Double Degree program in Applied Mathematics at the Sorbonne.

What is your dream for the future?

“My greatest desire is to conduct high-quality research and work on problems that deeply stimulate me. I want to use my time at the Sorbonne to engage with new approaches to mathematics and research, with the goal of eventually bringing what I’ve learned back to Italy and contributing to the development of scientific and technological innovation in our country.”

Alongside his studies, Niccolò has always made time for his passions—from the mountains and rock climbing to adventurous bicycle trips: “Last year, I set off from Busto Arsizio on my bike with just a backpack and a tent, and cycled all the way to Barcelona.” Stories like his demonstrate the value of scholarships: tools that do more than simply reward merit—they help create tangible opportunities for personal and professional growth. Supporting talent means enabling young students to broaden their horizons, access high-level educational experiences, and build skills that can generate value for society, research, and innovation.