<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
</head>
<body>
<p>
</p>
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Call for Participation (apologies for multiple copies)</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
-----------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
MESS 2026 - Metaheuristics Summer School </div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
~ Emerging Computing Paradigms for Optimization: </div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
from Quantum to Neuromorphic ~</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
6-10 July 2026, Catania, Italy</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/">https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/</a></div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:mess.school@ANTs-lab.it">mess.school@ANTs-lab.it</a></div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/</a></div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
-----------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
** APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th March 2026 **</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.ants-lab.it/mess2026/apply.html">https://www.ants-lab.it/mess2026/apply.html</a></div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
MESS 2026 offers a deep dive into the frontiers of Quantum and
Neuromorphic computing. The program explores the entire
technological stack, covering architectures, programming models,
and advanced algorithms for complex optimization. Through a
blend of theoretical lectures and hands-on sessions,
participants will gain the expertise to lead innovation in
next-generation computational research.</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
The lectures will focus on the following topics for both quantum
and neuromorphic computing: 1) architectures; 2) programming
models; 3) optimization algorithms and applications; and 4)
pratical work.</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
The school will involve a total of 36-40 hours of lectures;
therefore, in according to the academic system, all PhD and
master students attending the summer school will can get 8 ECTS
points. </div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
** LECTURERS</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
+ Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, VSB Tech. Un. Ostrava, Czech
Republic</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture1: "Introduction to Quantum Computing"</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture2: "Quantum Neural Networks: From Quantum-Inspired
Framework to Quantum-Gate Framework"</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
+ Philippe Lacomme, Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, France</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture1: "TBA"</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture2: "TBA"</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
+ Elisa Donati, Institute of Neuroinformatics UZH/ETH</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture1: "Neural networks and neural computing"</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture2: "Neuromorphic Computing and Technology"</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
+ El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille, France</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture1: "Neuromorphic computing: A gentle introduction"</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture2: "Neuromorphic-based optimization: Algorithms based on
metaheuristics and computational biology"</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
+ Jorge Cruz-Duarte & El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille,
France</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
lecture1: "Neuromorphic-based optimization: Software framework
under Lava and Nengo"</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
~ More Lecturers will be announced soon ~</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
** SHORT ORAL PRESENTATION</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
All participants may submit an abstract of their recent results,
or works in progress, for presentation and having the
opportunities for debate and interact with leaders in the field.
The organizing committee will review the abstracts and will
recommend the format of the presentation (oral or poster). All
abstracts will be published in the electronic hands-out book of
the summer school.</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
The Abstracts must be submitted during the application by *March
15, 2026*.</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
** MESS 2026 DIRECTORS:</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
- Salvatore Greco, University of Catania, Italy</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
- Mario Pavone, University of Catania, Italy</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
- Andrea Schaerf, University of Udine, Italy</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
- El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille1, France</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
- Daniele Vigo, University of Bologna, Italy</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
** MORE INFORMATION:</div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/">https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/</a> -- <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:mess.school@ANTs-lab.it">mess.school@ANTs-lab.it</a></div>
<div
style="font-family: Aptos, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
Facebook Group: <a
href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/"
data-outlook-id="19c386bb-9a23-46ce-8a4b-36862cde3cc6"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/</a></div>
<div
style="direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">
<br>
</div>
<br>
</div>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
***********************************************************************
OLA'2026
10th International Conference on Optimization and Learning (SCOPUS, Springer)
April 28-30, 2026, Creta, Greece, <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://ola2026.sciencesconf.org">https://ola2026.sciencesconf.org</a>
***********************************************************************
Prof. El-ghazali TALBI
Polytech'Lille, University Lille - INRIA
CRISTAL - CNRS</pre>
</body>
</html>