Happy holidays from H-FARM College!

The letter from Antonello Barbaro, CEO of H-FARM Education, addressed to students

Dear students,

As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the journey we’ve shared so far. Whether you’re finishing up exams or already enjoying a well-deserved break, I want to take a moment to thank you for being part of this vibrant and ever-growing community.

The beginning of the 2024/25 academic year has been extraordinary. Our community now counts nearly 800 students, including 300 new freshmen who joined us during the Welcome Day in September. We also proudly welcomed our first visiting student from Abu Dhabi, adding to the 63 international students who make our College such a diverse and enriching environment. We’ve grown in staff too: our faculty now counts 68 members, and our team of 32 is here to ensure you have all the support they need.

November was a milestone in our journey, as we proudly celebrated the first graduates of our Bachelor’s degree programs in collaboration with the University of Chichester. Watching their paths reach this incredible achievement was a deeply moving reminder of the transformative growth and shared experiences that define life on our campus.

I truly hope your learning journey continues to unfold each day, bringing new opportunities, inspiration, and excitement along the way.

This academic year, new programs like the BSc in AI & Data Science and expanded courses in the “Business & Management” study area kicked off with innovative teaching methods, while your in-the-classroom experience has been enriched with the new Enhancing Program counting over 25 courses aligned with market demands. 

As you know, learning here is an immersive experience that transcends academic settings. Outside the classroom, you’ve had opportunities to participate in Challenges that push you to solve real-world business cases and present your ideas to industry leaders. Over the past three months alone, 4 new Challenges have been launched. Inspirational Talks brought pioneering entrepreneurs and experts to campus — like Claudia Parzani, CEO of the Italian Stock Exchange; Riccardo Giraldi, UX Director at Google Gemini; and Massimo Marolo, Global Equity and VC Investor at Sands Capital — to share their experiences, sparking new perspectives and ideas. Hackathons — like the recent event with @aledellagiusta — have fostered collaboration, critical thinking, and project management skills. And through H-Expeditions like the recent one to SIOS24-Startup Italia, you have explored new places, met professionals, and expanded your network. 

On-the-job experiences are also a cornerstone of life at H-FARM College. This year’s Career Day highlighted your expertise in projects that blended AI and creativity, while bringing together 60 leading companies eager to connect with you. Programs like Lumina, FARMedia, and all the others have offered unique opportunities to apply your skills in consulting, media production, storytelling, and more. Internships, placements, and campus jobs have continued to prepare you for the next steps in your professional journey.

At the heart of all we do is a commitment to your personal and professional growth and this year has seen significant initiatives to support your journey as individuals. One-to-one meetings with our Student Office have been strengthened, offering tailored guidance with a particular focus on international and third-year students. The counseling service has been expanded, now available every afternoon from Monday to Thursday, providing a supportive space with a professional psychologist. To ensure a safe and inclusive environment, we’ve reinforced activities dedicated to addressing and preventing inappropriate behavior or harassment.

Last September we launched a renewed Personal Development Program to empower first and second-year students to cultivate the skills, attitudes, and self-awareness needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Building on this foundation, the Job Hunt Success Program is designed specifically for third-year and Master’s students, helping you confidently transition into your professional careers. Starting this January, 140 of you will embark on internships at companies like Generali, Luxottica, PwC, and Danieli — a milestone we hope will profoundly enrich your learning journey.

These initiatives embody our dedication to offering a holistic, immersive learning journey that goes beyond academics. By helping you explore your passions and build the confidence to pursue them, we align with our mission to empower graduates to transform innovation into meaningful progress, driving a better society.

As the year comes to a close, I encourage you to take pride in all you’ve accomplished, reflect on how far you’ve come, and continue seizing every opportunity that aligns with your values and aspirations. Together, we’re building a community where innovation thrives, and I look forward to seeing what 2025 holds for each of you.

Once again, thank you for being part of this journey. 

Wishing you and your families a joyful holiday season.

Warm regards,
Antonello Barbaro
CEO, H-FARM Education