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COOPERATION AGREEMENT
FOR THE CREATION OF AN “INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK” IN
THE PH.D. PROGRAM IN “__________________________”, A.Y.__________, _________
Cycle
The Università degli Studi di Verona (TAX CODE 93009870234, VAT NO. 01541040232) with
registered offices in Via dell’Artigliere, 8 – 37129 Verona, represented by its Rector, Prof. Nicola
Sartor, hereinafter the “UNIVERSITY OF VERONA”
AND
(The institution/company) __________ (TAX CODE _____________., VAT NO. ________) in the
person of Mr. _________, born in _____________ on _______________ as _____________ by
virtue of the resolution of _____________ on _____________ hereinafter the “COMPANY”
hereinafter severally “PARTY” and jointly “PARTIES”, stipulate this AGREEMENT including the
Attachments which form an integral part of the same, hereinafter “AGREEMENT”.
WHEREAS

The University of Verona, public cultural institution, has among its primary objectives the
development and transmission of scientific and technological knowledge, as well as cultural
and professional preparation of students;

the University of Verona has established, as part of the educational offer of the Graduate
School in ___________________________________, at the Department of
______________________ the PhD Program in ________________________ intended to
provide students with scientific knowledge in the subject of _________________________;

The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK is addressed to employees having
acquired a “Laurea Specialistica/Magistrale”; a “Laurea” Degree (of the old system before
Reform no. 509/1999) issued by an Italian University or with a foreign Master’s Degree (e.g.
Master of Science or Master of Arts) or an equivalent Master of Science-level degree that
would grant access to Ph.D. Programs in the country where it was conferred and who are
motivated to further develop their education and training in multidisciplinary research,
through the attendance of the above mentioned executive program;

the COMPANY is interested in the activation of an INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL
TRACK in the PhD Program in ________________________________ at the UNIVERSITY OF
VERONA;

admission to INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACKS follows the normal admission
rules for University di Verona PhD programs;
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
the research activity, financed by the COMPANY, shall be developed by a student considered
eligible, hereinafter “INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT”;

the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT is a researcher at the start of his/her career
(early stage researcher) who is following a PhD training program. During the studies, to
which he/she is admitted by a public competition aimed to ascertain his/her knowledge and
aptitudes for academic research, the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT develops
the ability to manage and carry out research and acquires leading-edge skills immediately
transferable to the field. At the end of the program he/she acquires the PhD degree in the
field of ____________________;

in particular, the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT is an employee of Italian or
foreign companies or external entities who, whilst retaining his/her job and salary, can train,
develop and carry out research in the framework of a specific PhD program (or - in case
OF Italian company - a recent graduate, hired by companies or external entities with a
higher education apprenticeship contract, who gradually enters the company while carrying
out the PhD program. In this case, the duration of the higher education contract coincides
with that of the course of study and new recruits must not have reached 30 years of age;

to obtain the PhD degree, the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT is required to
meet the educational requirements and pass a certain number of exams and prepare and
present a thesis, as required by the specific PHD program in which he/she is enrolled;

the TEACHING COMMITTEE, hereinafter the “COMMITTEE”, is responsible for the training
program and activities concerning the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD TRACK;

the duration of the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD TRACK is equal to the official duration
of the PhD Program within which it is created, that is 3 academic years plus an additional
period of 6 months for the thesis evaluation and discussion. During the entire period of
attendance of INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD TRACK, the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL
PHD STUDENT maintains his/her position as an employee with the COMPANY with
corresponding salary;

from the research work of the PhD program results may ensue which could be protected
according to the current legislation on intellectual property, hereinafter "RESULTS";

article 2 paragraph 1 of the "Regolamento Brevetti dell’Università di Verona”, issued by
Rectorial Decree on 24th June 2008 (Registered on the same date with Index No. 2686 Ref
No. 25831) regulates the ownership of property rights deriving from inventions by University
employees and equivalent personnel (a category which, in accordance with art. 26
paragraph 1 of said Regulations, also includes PhD students) within the scope of research
contracts and research collaborations (including but limited to PhD scholarships and
research grants financed by third parties, workshops or in general activities promoted and
financed by third parties) stipulated within the scope of University research in which the
same may participate in various capacities and in any manner, including within the scope of
teaching activities.
The foregoing recitals, accepted by the PARTIES, form an integral part of this AGREEMENT.
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NOW, THEREFORE, THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS:
ARTICLE 1
The PARTIES agree to sign this agreement for the creation of an INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL
DOCTORAL TRACK in _____________________________. The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL
DOCTORAL TRACK will be addressed to the realization of the following scientific project
__________________ jointly decided by the Parties. A Brief description of the project is reported
in Attachment A.
ARTICLE 2
The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT, having obtained eligibility for enrolment by
following the procedures set out in the annual Call for Admissions, shall enroll in the INDUSTRIAL /
INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK created in the framework of the PhD Program in
____________________ and pay the enrolment fee, according to what reported in the Call for
Admissions and in the Verona University PhD Regulations.
The enrolment fee will be paid by ________________________________________________at
the beginning of each academic year and for the entire duration of the INDUSTRIAL /
INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK. (Upon agreement between the Parties, the Company can
commit itself to pay, on behalf of the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT and at the
beginning of each academic year, the amount corresponding to the annual enrolment fee).
The Company undertakes to pay UNIVR the amount of € 2.727,68 as a contribution to the
resources necessary for carrying out teaching and research activities carried out by the
INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT during the attendance of the PhD program.
ARTICLE 3
The official duration of the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK is normally three years
(plus an additional period of 6 months for the thesis evaluation and discussion). The INDUSTRIAL /
INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT’s research will be carried out along with his/her work activities, as
agreed between the COMPANY, the PhD program Coordinator and the University supervisor. Only
motivated and exceptional conditions can justify an extension of one year of the INDUSTRIAL /
INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK, in accordance with the Verona University PhD Regulations
and upon positive deliberation of the COMMITTEE.
ARTICLE 4
The activities, which INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT must carry out, are the
following:



follow the planned advanced courses and pass the corresponding exams;
carry out research activity;
prepare and defend his/her thesis;
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

_______________
_______________
The PARTIES shall identify a thesis supervisor from the COMPANY and a thesis supervisor from the
UNIVERSITY OF VERONA, hereinafter “SUPERVISORS”.
The two SUPERVISORS undertake to jointly follow the preparation of the thesis and to act as tutors
for the student regarding his/her training program and research activities. Coordination of
supervision shall take place via continuous exchange of information and regular meetings.
The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT shall carry out these activities, dividing his/her
time with work activities. Research can be carried out at the COMPANY and/or at the University of
Verona laboratories, as agreed by the designated persons in charge in the COMPANY and in the
University of Verona and in agreement with the COMMITTEE.
The COMPANY undertakes to provide the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT the time
necessary to carry out the planned training and research activities, estimated by the COMMITTEE
to be at least __________________ hours.
ARTICLE 5
The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT may engage in study visits and research at
recognized international institutions, as agreed by the supervisors designated by the COMPANY
and by the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA and in agreement with the COMMITTEE. In principal, the
UNIVERSITY OF VERONA has no obligation regarding the financial coverage of such initiatives nor
the corresponding travel and accommodation expenses.
Before moving from one institution to another, the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT
shall take out the necessary insurance cover for the host Institution.
As a student of the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA, the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT will
be insured against injuries and public-liability at workplace during his/her authorized periods of
study and research spent both in Italy and abroad. The above mentioned insurance coverages
will be valid for the entire duration of his/her program, from the beginning of the first year of
attendance, until the doctoral thesis defense.
In the event that the above mentioned regular coverage is not available or is deemed insufficient,
he/she will be responsible for subscribing an appropriate additional personal insurance policy.
The University of Verona has no obligation concerning the financial coverage of these additional
insurance costs.
ARTICLE 6
The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD TRACK ends with the defence of the doctoral thesis that
will take place at the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA.
The examination committee shall be composed by mutual consent of the PARTIES in accordance
with art. 15 paragraph 3 of the Verona University PhD Regulations..
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The doctoral thesis is subject to prior evaluation by at least two highly qualified referees, external
to the Parties involved in the present AGREEMENT.
These referees, appointed by the COMMITTEE will express their analysis and opinion of the thesis
in writing and will either propose that the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT be admitted
to defend his/her thesis or they may postpone the examination for up to six months if they feel
that significant additions or corrections are necessary.
Once that period has passed, the thesis will in any case be admitted to the defense examination,
accompanied by a new written opinion by the same referees in the light of the corrections or
additions made by the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT.
The awarding of the official Doctoral Diploma will be subordinated to the deposit and uploading of
doctoral theses on Verona University Open Archive (IRIS) where they will be stored and
consulted by public.
According to the national laws in force, Verona University will be responsible for the deposit of
doctoral theses at the National Libraries of Rome and Florence.
The INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT must deposit his/her thesis to the University
Catalogue (IRIS) at least 15 days before the examination. Thesis will be made public within 30
days after its defence, except for suspension periods that may apply to theses containing
sensitive industry information and/or publication rights.
ARTICLE 7
For the purposes of this AGREEMENT, by “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION” is meant all information
provided in tangible form, including but not limited to, deeds, documents, drawings, product
samples, data, analyses, reports, studies, graphical representations, calculations, evaluations,
reports on production technology and processes, models and tables, owned by the COMPANY or
by the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA and communicated to the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD
STUDENT, in writing or transmitted physically and in any case all identifiable in forms or other
documents with the wording “Confidential”, hereinafter “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION”, which may
be used by the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT during the Executive PhD TRACK to
obtain the PhD degree.
The PARTIES undertake to have the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT, under his/her
personal responsibility and through the subscription of a specific document (Attachment B), take
the following commitments:
 consider as private and confidential information received from the COMPANY in execution of
this AGREEMENT and related to obtaining the PhD qualification;

not to reproduce and use for purposes other than obtaining the PhD qualification the
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION which shall be provided and/or disclosed and/or acquired from
the COMPANY by the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA in execution of this AGREEMENT and related to
obtaining the PhD qualification;

treat as private and confidential the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION in contexts and occasions
other than those of training and research activities which the PHD STUDENT shall comply
with in obtaining the PhD qualification;

use CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION only in activities related to obtaining the PhD degree;
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
limit dissemination of CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION within its organisation only to persons
whose duties justify knowledge of such CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION.
The PARTIES agree that the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT during the attendance of
the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK shall also be free to use information other
than the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION and the RESULTS obtained during the research work carried
out at the PARTIES in order to obtain publications.
In the event of a joint decision to file a patent application, the PARTIES undertake to defer any
publication concerning such PATENTABLE Results for the time required for filing the patent
application and in any case for not more than 90 (ninety) days.
Should the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT decide to abandon the PhD Program, the
PARTIES shall ensure the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT returns the CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION provided in tangible form, property of the COMPANY or of the UNIVERSITY OF
VERONA and communicated in writing or physically transmitted and in any case all identifiable in
forms or other documents with the wording “Confidential”, which the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL
PHD STUDENT has used during the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK, ensuring the
same maintains confidentiality of the said CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION for 3 (three) years from the
date of abandonment of studies.
The UNIVERSITY OF VERONA shall not be liable for any damages that may result from a violation of
the CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION pursuant to this AGREEMENT if it proves that such violation
occurred despite the use of due diligence.
The UNIVERSITY OF VERONA cannot exclude that within its organisation there are other research
groups which, independently, are conducting research on behalf of third party customers or out of
curiosity, in the same field of activity covered by this AGREEMENT.
ARTICLE 8
Protection of a patentable invention concerning the RESULTS of the research work developed by
the INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL PHD STUDENT during work at both PARTIES responsible for the
INDUSTRIAL / INTERSECTORIAL DOCTORAL TRACK shall be governed by the following guidelines:
1. ownership of the patent belongs to the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA ;
2. before filing the patent application, the PARTIES shall agree on the exploitation policy and
procedures, notwithstanding the fact that the COMPANY shall bear all costs concerning the patent
application. In any case, the COMPANY shall have an exclusive license on the corresponding
intellectual property rights for its exploitation activities;
ARTICLE 9
The PARTIES commit themselves to amicably solve any dispute arising under this AGREEMENT and
related to its validity, interpretation and execution. If the PARTIES are unable to come to a
resolution, the dispute arising from this AGREEMENT or from differences in interpretation of this
AGREEMENT will be submitted to an arbitration board according to art. 806 et seq. of the Italian
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Code of Civil Procedure and it will comprise three (3) members. Each party will appoint one
member and those two members will appoint an independent third member, who will act as
chairman and will be selected preferably among legal experts. In case of disagreement between
the PARTIES, or in case a Party doesn’t appoint its member, the role of third member will be
carried out by the President of the Court of Verona. The arbitral proceedings shall be ritual and
based upon current regulations. The decision will be binding to all PARTIES.
The ritual arbitration will take place in Verona.
ARTICLE 10
Action may not be taken against the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA in areas other than the technicalscientific area and in any case never for advertising purposes.
The PARTIES agree that the COMPANY may insert the “Università di Verona” logo only after
obtaining the prior written consent of the Rector of the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA.
ARTICLE 11
The PARTIES mutually declare to be informed (and, where applicable, to expressly consent) that
“personal data” provided, also verbally for pre-contract activities or in any case collected as a
consequence of and during execution of this Contract, shall only be processed for the purposes
of the contract, through consulting, processing, interconnection and comparison with other data
and/or any further manual and/or automated processing and, moreover, for statistical purposes,
with exclusive processing of data in anonymous form, by disclosure to public bodies when
requested by the same for the pursuit of their institutional objectives, as well as private entities,
when the purpose of the request is compatible with the institutional goals of the UNIVERSITY OF
VERONA, aware that failure to provide the same may result in the total or partial impossibility to
execute the contract.
Data Controllers. concerning the provision of this article - are the Parties as identified, named and
with the service address above.
The PARTIES finally, declare to be informed of the rights pursuant to Article 7 of the Legislative
Decree No. 196 of 30.6.2003 ("Code regarding the protection of personal data");
ARTICLE 12
This AGREEMENT is subject to stamp duty, from the outset and in a fixed amount, pursuant to
Article 2 of the Tariff - part one - attached to Presidential Decree no. 642 of 26 October 1972, as
amended and supplemented. The corresponding costs shall be borne by the COMPANY.
This AGREEMENT is subject to registration only in case of use pursuant to article 1, letter b) of the
Tariff - Part two - attached to Presidential Decree no. 131 of 26 April 1986.
ARTICLE 13
This AGREEMENT has been the subject of special examination and negotiation between the
UNIVERSITY OF VERONA and the COMPANY. The provisions of Articles 1341 and 1342 of the Civil
Code do not therefore apply, having the PARTIES full and conscious awareness of all their
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respective commitments and obligations which have been assessed and taken in complete
freedom and autonomy.
This AGREEMENT will be effective from the date of the last signature and will be valid until the
doctoral thesis will be orally defended.
The present cooperation agreement is drawn up in two (2) originals, in English, which have
binding legal force.
For the UNIVERSITY OF VERONA
The Rector
Prof. Nicola SARTOR
For ............ (Institution/Company)
.......................
………………
………….
______________________________
______________________________
THE PhD program coordinator
Prof. ___________________
Attachment 1:
Description of the scientific project and the research activity of the Industrial /
Intersectorial PhD student