The University Public Assembly, provided for by the Statute, is an event that brings together the university and the city's community. It is convened by the President of the Governing Board to present the University's activities and the main areas of work to citizens and stakeholders. The meeting also serves to gather observations and suggestions that can be useful to adjust the direction of the University and encourages closer collaboration between the University and the region, as it offers a regular opportunity for listening and dialogue. It's on occasion to discuss common needs and priorities and to present the choices of the University to address the challenges of the coming years.

The University Public Assembly 2025-2026 took place on 13 January 2026 in the Auditorium of Palazzo Prodi, on the theme of "Future Energy: University and Territory". The academic community and local actors focused on the energy transition as a global but also local challenge, crucial for Trentino.

The President of the Governing Board, Franco Bernabè, opened the meeting, highlighting the importance of a stable collaboration between the university, politics, businesses and civil society. In his speech he stressed that "there are no magic shortcuts" to the transition and that a realistic project is needed, based on already available technologies, starting with renewables, together with a redesign of energy storage and transportation systems to reduce energy impacts and costs.

The Assembly was preceded by two discussion tables with institutions and energy sector representatives. Francesca Demichelis, Vice-Rector for research, presented the findings of the two meetings. She described the energy transition as a technological transformation that implies a social and an educational transformation: accompanying measures, clear information for citizens and new skills are needed, in addition to continuous training for those already working in the sector.

The Assembly continued with two sessions: the first, with Bernabè and UniTrento professors, was dedicated to technologies and investments in research (networks, renewables, storage, materials and technology transfer, consistency of choices). The second session, moderated by rector Flavio Deflorian, welcomed the contributions of the regional energy system, with representatives of Confindustria Trento, the Dolomiti Energia Group and the Autonomous Province of Trento. In closing, Bernabè announced that the theme of the next Assembly will be artificial intelligence.