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Call for Participation (apologies for multiple copies)</div>
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MESS 2026 - Metaheuristics Summer School </div>
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~ Emerging Computing Paradigms for Optimization: </div>
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from Quantum to Neuromorphic ~</div>
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6-10 July 2026, Catania, Italy</div>
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https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/</div>
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mess.school@ANTs-lab.it</div>
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/</div>
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** APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th April 2026 **</div>
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https://www.ants-lab.it/mess2026/apply.html</div>
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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>
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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>
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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>
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** LECTURERS</div>
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+ Siddhartha Bhattacharyya, VSB Tech. Un. Ostrava, Czech Republic</div>
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lecture1: "Introduction to Quantum Computing"</div>
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lecture2: "Quantum Neural Networks: From Quantum-Inspired Framework to Quantum-Gate Framework"</div>
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+ Philippe Lacomme, Université Clermont-Auvergne, CNRS, France</div>
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lecture1: "TBA"</div>
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lecture2: "TBA"</div>
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+ Elisa Donati, Institute of Neuroinformatics UZH/ETH</div>
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lecture1: "Neural networks and neural computing"</div>
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lecture2: "Neuromorphic Computing and Technology"</div>
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+ El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille, France</div>
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lecture1: "Neuromorphic computing: A gentle introduction"</div>
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lecture2: "Neuromorphic-based optimization: Algorithms based on metaheuristics and computational biology"</div>
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+ Jorge Cruz-Duarte & El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille, France</div>
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lecture1: "Neuromorphic-based optimization: Software framework under Lava and Nengo"</div>
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~ More Lecturers will be announced soon ~</div>
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** SHORT ORAL PRESENTATION</div>
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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>
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The Abstracts must be submitted during the application by *April 15, 2026*.</div>
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** MESS 2026 DIRECTORS:</div>
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- Salvatore Greco, University of Catania, Italy</div>
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- Mario Pavone, University of Catania, Italy</div>
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- Andrea Schaerf, University of Udine, Italy</div>
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- El-Ghazali Talbi, University of Lille1, France</div>
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- Daniele Vigo, University of Bologna, Italy</div>
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** MORE INFORMATION:</div>
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https://www.ANTs-lab.it/mess2026/ -- mess.school@ANTs-lab.it</div>
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Facebook Group: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/" data-outlook-id="bdd9252a-31af-49cb-bd80-dad26eedc984">
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/</a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">-- </span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mario F. Pavone, PhD</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Associate Professor</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Dept of Mathematics and Computer Science</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">University of Catania</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">V.le A. Doria 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">=================================================</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">tel: +39 095 7383034</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">mobile: +39 3384342147</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Email:
</span><span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u><a href="mailto:mpavone@dmi.unict.it" data-outlook-id="c68e88a0-2f43-45e8-a9b8-d5d99a93e9b7" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">mpavone@dmi.unict.it</a></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u><a href="http://www.dmi.unict.it/mpavone/" data-outlook-id="ebcad3bf-89f2-4e59-aec0-1de4417958d9" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">http://www.dmi.unict.it/mpavone/</a></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/" data-outlook-id="90efc7a0-e27c-4f52-b40a-2dbc4d5ae10b" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/MetaheuristicsSchool/</a></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">=================================================</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Complex Intelligent Systems Research Group</span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u><a href="http://cis-lab.dmi.unict.it" data-outlook-id="35b37814-c473-4fa5-af02-4800e0eca9b1" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">http://cis-lab.dmi.unict.it</a></u></span></p>
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<span style="font-family: Aptos, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CIS.ResearchGroup" data-outlook-id="8049a72c-5d51-429f-a728-de9efbe15829" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">https://www.facebook.com/CIS.ResearchGroup</a></u></span></p>
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<span style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><u><a href="mailto:complexintelligentsystems@gmail.com" data-outlook-id="4c0fe9b2-10ee-4f26-85c0-106b6b888de0" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;">complexintelligentsystems@gmail.com</a></u></span></p>
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