UWA embraces engineering innovation in Italy

(left to right) Caleb McKenna, Dr Monte Masarei, Associate Professor Andrew Guzzomi and Dr Wesley Moss.

When we think of Italy, our minds turn to a land of art—and equally, to a legacy of innovation.

From aqueducts to the Roman arch, Italy’s engineering prowess has spanned millennia, cementing its reputation as a hub for design, manufacturing and technological breakthroughs.

For engineers, it’s a dream destination, rich with opportunities in agricultural machinery, the automotive sector and engineering services.

It was for these reasons that The University of Western Australia’s Centre for Engineering Innovation: Agriculture and Ecological Restoration (CEI:AgER) Director Andrew Guzzomi took his first fellowship in Italy at The University of Bologna after finishing his PhD.

In November last year, now an Associate Professor, he returned, accompanied by the next generation of CEI:AgER talent, tech leads Dr Monte Masarei (ecological restoration) and Dr Wesley Moss (agriculture).

One of the highlights of their visit was the International Agricultural and Gardening Machinery Exhibition (EIMA), held biennially in Bologna.

With over 1,748 exhibitors and more than 300,000 visitors, EIMA is a powerhouse of agricultural innovation – offering insights on how engineering can transform efficiency and scalability in the field.

Joining the delegation, former Centre honours student and Rhodes Scholar Caleb McKenna, who travelled from Oxford to reconnect with his mentors and see the advancements showcased at EIMA.

“For the centre, EIMA is more than just an exhibition, it’s an incubator of ideas,” Associate Professor Guzzomi said.

The CEI:AgER leadership team with CNH’s Director of Powertrain Innovation Dr Stefano Fiorati at CNH’s R&D facility in Modena.

“Our current and recent projects, including targeted tillage, sub-clover harvesting, the Australian seed scaling initiative and restoration engineering seed technology deployment, all rely on cutting-edge machinery to drive innovation.

“A key question that comes up for agricultural and restoration engineers is, how can we develop and use machines for efficiency of scale.”

For Dr Moss, the event was an opportunity for technology scouting for current projects, including a collaboration with North Carolina State University and the US Department of Agriculture on precision weed control, stemming from his recent Fulbright Fellowship.

Dr Masarei explored ways that agricultural technology, such as remotely operated vehicles and metering systems, could be adapted to the challenges of ecological restoration in mine site rehabilitation.

“The sheer scale and diversity of technology at EIMA were astonishing,” Dr Masarei said. “Engineering design is a focal point in European agriculture, which is quite different to Australia – where we are primarily consumers of technology.”

The trip came just before the launch of Emergence Ecotech, a start-up founded by Dr Masarei, Dr Erickson and Associate Professor Guzzomi.

Expected to launch in September this year, the company will provide restoration solutions for native plants in degraded landscapes, powered by technologies developed by CEI:AgER.

Beyond EIMA, the delegation sought to forge connections with CNH, a tier-1 global equipment, technology and services company serving the agriculture and construction sectors through world-class brands.

The team’s visit to CNH’s research and development facility in Modena included high-level discussions on a potential partnership, which could mark a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the Southern Hemisphere.

CEI:AgER also extended its journey beyond Italy, with Dr Moss visiting Denmark to collaborate with colleagues at the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University, while Dr Masarei connected with experts at the Max Planck Institute in Salzburg, Austria.

Their final stop was The University of Bologna, where the team showcased the Centre’s activities to Rector His Magnificence Professor Giovanni Molari and discussed opportunities for their respective institutions to explore bilateral relations.

For Associate Professor Guzzomi, the goal for the future extends beyond international collaboration – it’s about educating the next generation of engineers to think boldly.

“With support from the UWA School of Engineering, we aim to facilitate biennial field trips for students to attend EIMA, inspiring them through exceptional engineering design,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Centre aspires to host its own stand at EIMA, representing UWA and Australia’s expertise in engineering innovation.

With projects in progress, potential partnerships in motion, and a new start-up on the horizon, CEI:AgER is pioneering a global engineering movement, with EIMA 2026 in Bologna, Italy next on the horizon.

Below are some additional highlights from the trip: