Tuesday 25 July it was held a meeting at the Ministry of Education, University and Research between Minister Valeria Fedeli and the Presidents from the main research institutes, of Technological Cluster of Excellences and CRUI for discussing the main objective and future actions of the internationalization of research and innovation programs that the MIUR carries on with the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Firstly Prof. Marco Mancini, Head of the Department for Higher Education and Research of MIUR, took the floor and stated the importance of both internationalization programs in the scientific diplomacy with both countries, highlighting also the importance of the role played by Città della Scienza. Both are two countries that represent a main target for the MIUR in terms of support of internationalization in the research field.
Following, Prof. Carlo Cereti, Delegate for Iran of MIUR gave a strategic overview of the current situation in Iran, particularly after the election.
Then, Mr. Vincenzo Lipardi, Secretary General of Città della Scienza, explained in detail the two programs and the results gained until this year, as well as the perspectives of future editions. Moreover, he explained the program of the China-Italy Science, Technology & Innovation Week that will be held in Beijing, Chengdu and Guiyang from 13 to 17 November, as well as the main activities, such as the second edition of the Best Start-up Showcase and of the Digital Fabrication Zone. Finally he pre-announced the second edition of the la seconda edizione del Italy-Iran Science, Technology & Innovation Forum that will be held in Italy next February 2018.
In conclusion, the Minister Valeria Fedeli took the floor stating the importance for Italy to position itself in the international scenario more strongly and to undertake internationalization activities in an unified manner. Moreover, she stated that in order to reach a higher level it is important to enforce these instruments for increasing competitiveness, especially in terms of industrial development. Thus, it would be crucial to enlarge the institutional cooperation, in particular with the Ministry of Economic Development for supporting innovative start-ups in internationalization.
Following, there was a round table in which all Presidents shared the state of the art of their cooperation with China and Iran or, in some cases, the willingness to undertake it with the support of the two programs promoted by the MIUR. The Minister promptly commented and welcomed requests of the participants to the meeting.
