Professor Stuart Croft had the honour of welcoming His Excellency Inigo Lambertini, Ambassador of the Italian Republic, to the University of Warwick
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to strengthen the longstanding ties between Warwick and Italy, reflecting a shared commitment to academic excellence, cultural exchange, and international collaboration. During his time on campus, the Ambassador engaged with members of the University’s Executive team, leading academics, and students, including from Italian Studies, Warwick Business School, and the Department of Economics. Discussions centred on deepening educational partnerships, fostering research collaboration, and exploring new avenues for mobility and innovation. His Excellency expressed particular interest in hearing directly from Italian students studying at Warwick, gaining insight into their experiences and aspirations within our global academic community.
Warwick’s relationship with Italy remains vibrant and dynamic. Student mobility between the UK and Italy continues to thrive, supported by seventeen strategic mobility partners across the country. These partnerships span Italy’s diverse regions from Milan, Venice, Padua, and Torino in the north, to Rome and Naples in the south, creating a rich network of opportunities for students and scholars alike.
A highlight of the visit included a meeting with the Academic Director of the Warwick Venice Centre. The Ambassador learned about the Centre’s unique role in Warwick’s history and its enduring impact on international education. Situated in one of the world’s most iconic cities, the Warwick Venice Centre serves as a hub for intellectual exchange, benefiting thousands of students, researchers, teachers, global partners, and local cultural stakeholders. Beyond being a base for academic activity, the Centre is an active contributor to the wider local cultural ecosystem, fostering collaborations that enrich Venice’s vibrant cultural landscape. It exemplifies Warwick’s vision of connecting local excellence with global engagement, enabling transformative experiences that transcend borders.
This visit underscores Warwick’s strategic commitment to Europe as a cornerstone of its global outlook. By fostering deep partnerships with leading institutions across the continent, Warwick aims to advance collaborative research, enhance student mobility, and promote intercultural understanding. These efforts are integral to the University’s mission to shape solutions to global challenges through knowledge, innovation, and dialogue. In an increasingly interconnected world, Warwick continues to position itself as a university without borders, where ideas, talent, and opportunity flow freely across nations.