The Politecnico di Milano first introduced the ‘Diploma Universitario’ 3-year curriculum in its off-Milan campuses; the experiments having proven successful, the Faculties of Engineering and Architecture decided to activate Diploma courses on the main campus in Milan. In order to select the specific courses that should be introduced, to focus the curricula and to prepare the ground for intensive university-industry interaction in teaching as well as in industrial training activities, a cooperation was set up between the Milan Industrial Association (Assolombarda) and the Politecnico itself. This paper describes this experience, analyzing the activities performed and the results obtained.