Tsinghua University President Li Luming led a delegation to Italy from January 19 to 21, participating in the 2024 Milan Academic Week, which was hosted by the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub of Tsinghua University. The delegation, including Vice President Wang Hongwei, engaged with local academic, research, and cultural leaders to foster humanistic exchanges, scientific innovation, and talent development.

Li Luming delivers a speech.

The 2024 Milan Academic Week commenced on January 20, with Wang presiding over the opening ceremony. In his address, Li underscored the thriving partnership between Tsinghua and Politecnico di Milano, highlighting the role of the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub, Tsinghua's first European educational and research platform.

A group photo of the forum

On January 21, Li attended a forum on Sino-European cross-cultural communication which was hosted by the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub and Tsinghua's School of Journalism and Communication.

Li emphasized the significance of Sino-European cultural exchange in the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy. He expressed hope for further strengthening academic exchanges and innovative practices in the field of cross-cultural communication, paving the way for a new chapter in Sino-European cultural exchange and communication.

Li Luming (second from right) talks with faculty, students and alumni at the 2024 Milan Academic Week.

On the same day, Li met with over 40 Tsinghua alumni from countries like Italy, Germany, the UK, and Switzerland at the European Tsinghua Alumni Exchange Salon.

Li Luming (third from right) visits Politecnico di Milano.

On January 19, the delegation's visit to Politecnico di Milano featured a constructive dialogue with Rector Donatella Sciuto, focusing on the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub's future prospects.

Li highlighted the Hub's role in elevating collaborative efforts in talent development, joint research, cultural exchange, and industrial innovation.

Sciuto indicated that the hub is a collaborative achievement signed under the joint witness of Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. It stands as one of the significant milestones in the cooperation between the two universities. As important universities in Italy and China, both institutions bear significant responsibilities to their nations and the world. There is an expectation for continued collaboration, expanding the fields of cooperation, furthering the journey of friendship, and enriching the experience of working together.

Li Luming (left) signs MoUs with Sciuto.

Wang Hongwei (left) signs a student exchange agreement with Giuliano Noci, Vice Rector of Politecnico di Milano

The visit culminated in the signing of two MoUs and a student exchange agreement, that solidify ongoing cooperation between the schools.

Li Luming (second from left) visits the biomedical engineering laboratories of Politecnico di Milano.

Li and his delegation visited the biomedical engineering laboratories of Politecnico di Milano and engaged in academic exchanges with faculty, students, and researchers.

Li Luming (left) visits the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee.

The same day also saw the delegation exploring potential collaboration with the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee. Li's discussion with Iacopo Mazzetti, head of Legacy of Milano Cortina 2026, reflected Tsinghua's commitment to contributing to the synergy between Olympic development and urban growth.

Mazzetti expressed his welcome, looking forward to further exchanges and cooperation between the two parties focusing on the sustainable construction of both the "tangible" and "intangible" legacies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

Li Luming (left) visits the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana.

On January 20, the delegation visited the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana, meeting with its director, Alberto Rocca. Li expressed his desire to continue collaboration with the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana in exhibition displays and art education, following their previous partnership on a Leonardo da Vinci manuscripts exhibition.

Li Luming (left) communicates with Liu Kan.

During his stay in Italy, Li also met Liu Kan, China's consul general in Milan. Li introduced the latest progress of Tsinghua University in continuously deepening reforms and advancing the implementation of its global strategy. He stated that the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub is an important component of Tsinghua University's global strategy and is also the first educational and research base established by Tsinghua in Europe. He expressed gratitude for the consul general's concern and support for the construction and development of the hub.

Liu welcomed the delegation and hoped that the China-Italy Design Innovation Hub would serve as a model for higher education cooperation between the two countries.

Editor：Li Han