The mission undertaken by the
Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and by the Conference
of Deans of Italian Universities (CRUI) has officially started
at the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Eight agreements and Memoranda of understanding between Italian
and Japanese universities were presented to mark the occasion.
During the ceremony attended by the Commissioner General for
Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani, and by
Professor Giovanna Iannantuoni, the president of CRUI and dean
of the University Milano Bicocca, the University of Siena
announced the signature of four protocols: a Memorandum of
understanding and a student mobility agreement with Shimonoseki
City University; and two accords with Meikai University and
Asahi University.
The University of Florence announced the signature of a
Memorandum with Keio University and an agreement for cultural
and scientific cooperation with Osaka Metropolitan University.
In addition, Rome’s Sapienza University signed a Memorandum with
Kansai Medical University of Hirata (Osaka) while the University
Ca’ Foscari of Venice announced that it has finalized an
agreement with Kansai Medical University.
The themes of the accords, which were also developed thanks to
the synergic work of the Italian embassy in Tokyo, included the
mobility of students and researchers, joint ventures, joint
research programs, and the organization of joint workshops and
seminars.
In addition to the accords, the Ministry of University and
Research, in cooperation with CRUI, selected 40 students among
700 candidates from all over Italy, divided into two groups for
each trimester of Expo, who will participate as trainees in the
activities of the Italy Pavilion.
“Italian universities strengthen their role as an extraordinary
bridge between Italy and Japan”, said the Minister of University
and Research Annamaria Bernini.
“We are proud of signing eight protocols of agreement that open
unprecedented borders for student mobility and joint research.
“Italian universities once again prove their ability to look at
the future, mixing tradition and innovation”, noted Bernini.
“Thanks to the MUR and CRUI mission, the Italian university
system is represented in its entirety at the Italy Pavilion”,
stated Vattani, stressing that the announcement of the signature
of the protocols of agreement confirms that Expo is a “strategic
platform for the promotion of our universities”.
“Italian research is at an excellent level and, with the
experience of the NRRP (National Recovery and Resilience Plan),
it has proven that the young are the right levers for innovation
and growth”, said CRUI President Giovanna Iannantuoni.
Japan and Italy “have many similar challenges and objectives on
the horizon”, she added.
“I am certain that our bilateral relations in the academic and
scientific sector will be able to growth at a fast pace over the
next few years”, commented Italy’s ambassador to Japan,
Gianluigi Benedetti.
Benedetti added that he is “firmly convinced that academic and
scientific cooperation is a cornerstone of the growth of
stronger and deeper international relations”.
Such a vision was also expressed by Professor Masato Fujisawa,
vice president of the Japan Association of National
Universities.
“Over the years, Japan and Italy have deepened reciprocal
exchanges in the sectors of education, science and technology”,
stressed the academic, recalling a survey in 2022 on
inter-university exchange agreements that reported 480 such
accords between Japanese and Italian universities, proving “the
active role of students and researchers”.
The vice president moreover noted that, “according to the Japan
Student Service’s data from May 2024, 820 Italian students were
living in Japan in 2023 and 1,642 Japanese students were
studying in Italy in 2023”.
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