International Congresso of the VIPPSTAR Project Kicks Off in Brescia
UNIBS, LIGHT and ASST among key players in European project for digital innovation in preventing visual impairment in younger children
19-20 May 2025 | Centro Convegni Paolo VI
The 1st International Consortium Meeting of the VIPPSTAR project (Visually Impaired Children and Adolescents: Bridging the Gap with Personalized Prevention Strategies, Tools, Approaches, and Resources) will officially begin today, Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Centro Paolo VI in Brescia. LIGHT joins as the technological coordinator and affiliated partner of the University of Brescia.
The day will open with institutional greetings from Prof. Elisa Maria Fazzi (University of Brescia), the project coordinator, highlighting the significance of VIPPSTAR for the entire community of children and adolescents with visual impairments, as well as the essential synergy between scientific research and technological innovation for the success of the project.
During the event, Dr. Cesare Furlanello (Director of LIGHT) will present the project’s digital architecture, followed by administrative and technical updates concerning VIPPSTAR’s coordination and upcoming phases. Dedicated sessions will explore key topics such as the development of the telerehabilitation platform, eye-tracking, physical education, and the creation of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses).
In the afternoon, two outstanding guest speakers will take the stage: Lotfi Merabet from Harvard Medical School, who will discuss the cognitive mechanisms underlying visual processing in patients with impairments due to brain injury or dysfunction, and Alberto Tozzi from Ospedale Bambino Gesù, who will address the use of Artificial Intelligence in pediatrics, focusing on both clinical applications and ethical/regulatory challenges.
The day will continue with Focus Group sessions, providing key opportunities for in-depth operational discussions among project partners.
The event will conclude with an exclusive guided tour of the Santa Giulia Museum, followed by a social dinner, offering a unique occasion to build and strengthen both personal and professional connections.
Museum of Santa Giulia, Brescia (Source: www.franciacorta.vine)