Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the University of Warwick Strengthen Their Partnership with New Strategic Agreement

Ca' Foscari University of Venice and the University of Warwick signed an agreement to strengthen and expand their academic, educational and research collaboration, further consolidating a partnership already well established through the European University Alliance EUTOPIA.

The signing ceremony took place at 2.30 p.m. on 2 July in the Aula Magna Silvio Trentin at Ca' Dolfin, Venice.

Present at the ceremony were Professor Tiziana Lippiello, Rector of Ca' Foscari University of Venice; Professor Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Warwick; Dr Bryan Brazeau SFHEA, Academic Director of the Warwick Venice Centre; Professor Brian Young, Country Director, British Council Italy; and Professor Chiara Saccon, Vice-Rector for International Relations and International Cooperation.

Tiziana Lippiello, Rector of Ca' Foscari University of Venice: “Today we are signing an important agreement, a fine example of international collaboration in Venice. This agreement strengthens a long-standing partnership with the prestigious University of Warwick, our partner within the EUTOPIA European Alliance. Transnational cooperation in research and education is essential to addressing the major global challenges of our time. This partnership will further enhance our international profile through the development of innovative double degree programmes, mobility opportunities for academic staff and researchers, and shared doctoral networks. Together with Warwick, and with the invaluable support of the British Council and the patronage of the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), we reaffirm Ca' Foscari's cosmopolitan vocation and Venice's role as an international academic hub, an intercultural crossroads capable of building connections across the world.”

Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Warwick: "Our partnership with Ca' Foscari demonstrates the value of long-term international collaboration in advancing education and research. Together, we have built strong foundations through student mobility, joint teaching, collaborative research, and our shared work within the EUTOPIA Alliance. This renewed Memorandum of Understanding reflects our shared ambition to deepen these ties even further, creating new opportunities for our students and colleagues while addressing global challenges through international partnerships."

Brian Young, Country Director British Council Italy: "The agreement between the University of Warwick and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice is a tangible demonstration of the value of academic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Italy, helping to strengthen the cultural and educational ties between our two countries. The British Council regards this partnership as a model for building strong and lasting international relationships in higher education, and we look forward to continuing to support new university agreements that contribute to our mission of fostering trust and understanding between the United Kingdom and Italy."

Laura Ramaciotti, President of the Conference of Italian University Rectors: "Cooperation between our university systems is not only a driver of progress in knowledge but also a cultural bridge that strengthens shared values such as freedom, democracy, sustainability and inclusion. At a time of rapid change and increasingly complex challenges, these values should encourage us to invest in the quality of international academic partnerships. This is a vital contribution to preparing future generations for a more informed and responsible future, grounded in mutual recognition and the exchange of experiences across different places and cultures. The agreement signed today between Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and the University of Warwick is a perfect example of this approach."

The renewed agreement builds on a successful institutional partnership established in 2019, reflecting the shared ambition of both universities to address global challenges through international collaboration and local partnership in Venice. It provides a framework for developing joint opportunities in teaching, research and mobility between the United Kingdom and Italy, while further strengthening academic links across a wide range of disciplines.

The agreement aims to foster further contacts and collaboration between the respective academic staff, departments, institutes, research groups, research centres and administrative units of the two universities, encouraging the development of joint projects and initiatives. In doing so, it seeks to build on an already successful cooperative relationship, expanding it within a broader and more strategic framework.

The existing collaboration on summer schools will be strengthened by building on the pilot project successfully delivered in July 2025 with Ca’ Foscari’s School for International Education. The initiative will be further enhanced and integrated with the educational offering of the University of Warwick's Venice Centre, including the Venice Term and Venice Short Courses, with the aim of further developing teaching collaboration between the two institutions.

The agreement also provides for the development of a reciprocal visiting professor and visiting scholar programme, supported by external funding bodies, including the British Council in Italy and other organisations.
Doctoral education will likewise benefit from the strengthening of the existing partnership through the annual EUTOPIA cotutelle programme and the postgraduate researcher (PGR) training workshops held at the Warwick Venice Centre.
A key aspect of the agreement will be the development of collaborative degree programmes. Building on the existing Dual Master's Degree Programme in Economics, the two universities will explore opportunities for further joint programmes in areas including Global Studies, Mediterranean Studies, Politics and International Relations, and Environmental Humanities.

The agreement will also strengthen cooperation in research, teaching and student mobility, supported through Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe funding programmes, by connecting the relevant professional services teams responsible for supporting the preparation and submission of joint funding applications.
The partnership will further promote the organisation of joint and complementary public engagement initiatives at both Ca' Foscari and the Warwick Venice Centre, as well as lectures, symposia and other academic events on topics of shared interest. It will also encourage local collaboration in the city of Venice, including initiatives such as organising Italian language courses.

The initiative is held under the patronage of the CRUI (Conference of Italian University Rectors) and is further strengthened by support from the British Council. Thanks to this support, two visiting professorships will be established, and financial assistance will be provided to students planning to take part in the 2027 Italy-United Kingdom programme of events.