Olbia strengthens its university hub dedicated to the blue economy and the yachting industry

The growth of the nautical, shipbuilding and aeronautical industries in Gallura is being matched by the expansion of Olbia's university offering, which is strengthening its ability to attract students from across Italy and abroad while reinforcing the connection between higher education and the local industrial ecosystem.

According to the Provincial Industrial Consortium of North-East Sardinia – Gallura (CIPNES), the internationalisation strategy promoted by the Sardinia Region is delivering results not only in terms of industrial development, but also in the training of the skills required by the blue economy. Among the examples highlighted is the Naval Engineering degree programme of the University of Cagliari, now in its second year in Olbia, which has already attracted students from several regions across Italy. According to the consortium, this reflects the growing demand for technical professionals within the Italian shipbuilding and recreational boating industries.

On the international front, the University of Sassari's Innovation and Management for Sustainable Tourism degree programme continues to attract students from countries including the United States and India, further strengthening the international profile of Olbia's university campus. The academic offering is set to expand from the next academic year with the introduction of the professional degree programme in Industrial, Electrical and Aeronautical Technologies at the University of Cagliari. The initiative supports Olbia's development as a centre for general aviation, a sector backed by specialised facilities for the maintenance and servicing of private jets, as well as the direct Olbia–New York air connection. The new Department of Innovation of the University of Sassari will also begin its activities from the next academic year.

The following academic year will also see the planned launch of a Master's Degree in Nautical Engineering, developed by the University of Cagliari in partnership with the University of Naples Federico II. The new programme will complete the educational pathway dedicated to the naval and yachting sectors, further strengthening the links with shipbuilding, ports and the services connected to the maritime economy.

The development of Olbia's university hub will also be supported by investment in student infrastructure. The Cool & Young Residence Campus project has been unveiled and will be built within the Geovillage area of Olbia, providing 464 beds across 232 single and double rooms. Funded through the European Union's NextGenerationEU programme as part of Italy's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), the project allocates 30% of its accommodation to scholarship students from the ERSU student welfare agencies of Sassari and Cagliari at subsidised rates. The residence will also feature co-working areas, a gym, shared social spaces, a 24-hour reception and a range of additional services designed to support student life.

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