Warwick’s international Economics Summit, led entirely by students, praised by former Italian PM Enrico Letta for being ‘modern and creative’

Tickets sell out in less than a minute, say the event's organisers

Mr Letta, pictured speaking at the event, told the sold-out venue: 'I think, for the UK, it is important to stay in the EU' (Warwick Economics Summit)

The former Prime Minister of Italy, Enrico Letta, has hailed the University of Warwick’s annual Economics Summit - which attracted students from 32 universities and 13 counties - for being “modern and creative” as tickets to the event sold out in less than a minute.

Attendees listened to lectures from multiple speakers including the former PM, Nobel Prize winner Sir James Mirrlees, and former French finance minister Jean-François Copé, where issues - including development, politics, psychology and international relations - were discussed.

Mr Letta, though, who was Italy’s PM from 2013 to 2014, was particularly praiseworthy of the teamwork behind organising the entirely student-led summit.

He said: “The Warwick economics summit is something very modern and creative in the way in which [it is] organised.

“In my view, it is more important than a theoretical course. They [the students] immediately learn what accountability means in their lives, what delivery is, what team-building is.”

Co-coordinators, Max Rodgers and Piyushaa Newatia, who were in charge of the large team of students organising the summit, told the Independent they both “thoroughly enjoyed organising the summit, and can safely say it has been the best thing [they] have done at university; [they] learned so much from the experience and gained a lifetime of memories”

Raj Deol, one of the 51 students who helped to organise the summit said being part of the team was the highlight of his time at university.

“It has been truly exceptional this year. It’s quite hard to express, but it is certainly the highlight of my time at Warwick.

“Just looking at the summit this year, it has been absolutely outstanding. We’ve invited a superb line-up of speakers, and greeted delegates arriving from across the world”

Wafiq Islam, who is also a student at the university has attended the summit three times and said he plans on returning to attend the summit after graduating.

He said: “Having attended the Warwick Economics Summit for the third time in succession, I can honestly say every year the quality of speakers is fantastic and the annual ball is always great fun.”