UniVerso 2026, a day of discovery and fun with 3,500 participants

Saturday, 25 April 2026, was a true celebration of knowledge. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Università della Svizzera italiana welcomed 3,500 people to the West Campus Lugano for UniVerso. The open day for families and the wider public featured a wide range of activities to play, explore, and discover firsthand what the University does and why it matters to everyone.

From early afternoon, the campus was buzzing as families and enthusiasts explored university spaces reimagined as a sprawling, open-air laboratory, home to 30 different hands-on activities designed for fun and discovery.

From stars and cells to circuits and codes, visitors of all ages let their curiosity lead the way, getting a hands-on look at the University's research through play and interaction.

The planetarium and solar observations were huge draws, while younger visitors flocked to the ever-popular "Teddy Bear Hospital" and the new architecture-themed mini-golf. The programmable robots and AI demonstrations were a major highlight, with self-driving cars and creative workshops capturing the imagination. These interactive trails seamlessly blended science and creativity, using everything from microscopes and 'space cities' to images and scents to bring research to life.

Setting the scene for the entire day, the Street Food Festival helped create a convivial, informal atmosphere, making the campus a place for meeting and sharing beyond scientific activities.

UniVerso thus confirms its status as an eagerly awaited and well-attended event, capable of bringing the University closer to the local community, demonstrating the value of academic education and research in a direct and engaging way. Citizens were able to experience firsthand the knowledge taking shape on the ground and feel that the University was a little more like "home".

Our thanks go to everyone who played and explored with us, helping to make this edition a special moment of discovery and shared experience!