the mission of the Crui and the Ministry of University and Research at the Italian Pavilion begins

The mission of the Ministry of University and Research (Mur) and the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities (Crui) at the Italian Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has officially begun. For the occasion, eight agreements, understandings and memoranda of understanding between some Italian and Japanese universities were officially presented to the public. The occasion is strategic, and is part of the initiatives to promote the Country System in Japan and throughout Asia, which see the Italian Pavilion as an outpost and instrument for growth diplomacy. In the presence of the General Commissioner for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani, and of the professor Giovanna Iannantuoni, president of the Crui and rector of the University of Milano Bicocca, the University of Siena announced the signing of four protocols: a memorandum of understanding and an agreement for student mobility with Shimonoseki City University, and two other agreements with Meikai University and Asahi University. The University of Florence announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Keio University and the signing of an agreement for cultural and scientific cooperation with Osaka Metropolitan University.

Again, Sapienza University of Rome has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kansai Medical University in Hirakata (Osaka). Ca’ Foscari University of Venice has also announced the signing of an agreement with Kansai Medical University. Among the topics covered by the agreements, also developed thanks to the synergic work of the Italian Embassy in Tokyo: agreements on mobility for students and researchers, joint ventures, joint research programs, organization of workshops and seminars. In addition to the agreement, the Ministry of University and Research, in collaboration with the Crui, has selected 40 students divided into 2 three-month groups who will participate as interns in the activities of the Italian Pavilion. Many applications were received for the call, with over 700 applications from all over Italy. The students chosen, during the months of the Expo, will be included in curricular internship activities capable of developing their skills that include, among others, knowledge and in-depth study of the Japanese language.

“Italian universities are strengthening their role as an extraordinary bridge between Italy and Japan. We are proud to sign eight new memoranda of understanding that open up new frontiers for student mobility and joint research. We want to invest in our young people, offering them concrete paths to strengthen their linguistic and professional skills within an international context. The higher education system thus confirms itself as a fundamental instrument of cultural and scientific diplomacy. Italian universities are once again demonstrating their ability to look to the future, combining tradition and innovation,” declared the Minister of Universities and Research, Annamaria Bernini.

“Thanks to the Mur and Crui mission, the Italian university system is represented in its entirety at the Italian Pavilion,” said the Commissioner for Italy at Expo 2025 Osaka, Ambassador Mario Vattani. “The announcement of the signing of the memoranda of understanding between Italian and Japanese universities is excellent news. Expo confirms itself as a strategic platform for the promotion of our universities. We are happy to welcome the trainees awarded the Mur-Crui tender, because our goal at Expo is not only to bring more Italy to Asia, but also to expose our young people to a region of the world that is experiencing great growth and is oriented towards the future, leading our university students to take on a study and work challenge that is truly valuable for their educational path.”

“Italian research is of an excellent level and, with the experience of the PNRR, has shown that it has in young people the right levers for innovation and growth – said Giovanna Iannantuoni, president of the Crui – Furthermore, Japan and Italy have many similar challenges and objectives on the horizon. In this sense, consolidating the network of academic relations between the two countries has for us the very meaning of providing new opportunities to the new generations, both Italian and Japanese. Starting from the internationalization of extended partnerships, one of the most significant experiences of recent years, achieved thanks to the Next Generation EU. Focusing on research means focusing on the future”.

“I am confident that our bilateral relations in the academic and scientific sector will be able to grow at a sustained pace in the coming years and I firmly believe that academic and scientific cooperation is the cornerstone for the growth of stronger and deeper international relations. It is in fact the driving force for greater knowledge and friendship between our young generations and the push for greater integration between our industrial systems, especially in high-tech sectors,” commented the Italian Ambassador to Japan, Gianluigi Benedetti.