The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), reaffirms the commitment to expanding collaboration in education, research, innovation and global engagement.
The renewed and expanded agreement builds on a successful institutional partnership established in 2019 and reflects both universities' shared ambition to address global challenges through international collaboration and local partnerships in Venice.
It provides a framework for how other UK-Italy higher education partnerships could develop their joint teaching, research, and mobility opportunities while also strengthening academic links across a wide range of disciplines.
The agreement outlines plans to expand cooperation in areas including joint and dual degree programmes - including a progression agreement between the Economics departments, doctoral co-supervision (co-tutelles), staff and student exchanges, collaborative research, and participation in major European initiatives including Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe.
It also supports new opportunities for co-teaching, particularly through summer programmes in Venice, reciprocal teaching-focused academic visits, and joint events bringing together colleagues from both institutions. The British Council Italy will also be supporting a teaching-focused visiting academic scheme and student activities. The agreement is also supported by the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI).
Professor Michael Scott, Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Warwick: "Our partnership with Ca' Foscari demonstrates the value of sustained 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.
"We are proud to be the only UK university with a permanent presence in Venice and 2027 will mark 60 years of Warwick in Italy. This renewed Memorandum of Understanding reflects the shared ambition between Warwick and Ca' Foscari to deepen our connections further, creating new opportunities for our students and colleagues while addressing global challenges through international partnerships."
The partnership between the two universities has already delivered significant outcomes over the past several years. Warwick has expanded its participation in the Ca' Foscari School of International Education Summer School, covering Global Studies, Environmental Humanities, and Shakespeare in Venice. Discussions are also underway to further integrate these activities with Warwick's own Venice Short Courses.
Tiziana Lippiello, Rector of Ca' Foscari University of Venice: "Transnational cooperation in research and teaching is the key to addressing major global challenges. This agreement enhances our international appeal through the development of cutting-edge double degrees, mobility programs for faculty and researchers, and shared doctoral networks.
"Together with Warwick, with the fundamental support of the British Council, and the patronage of the CRUI, we confirm Ca' Foscari's cosmopolitan identity and Venice's role as an international academic hub, an intercultural crossroads capable of developing connections with the entire world."
The collaboration has been strengthened through the universities' shared membership of the EUTOPIA European University Alliance, where both institutions have played leading roles. Together, Warwick and Ca' Foscari co-lead part of the EUTOPIA MORE project, focusing on connecting local and global ecosystems, while collaborating across a range of Connected Communities in areas including Environmental Humanities and planetary sustainability.
The universities have also developed strong research partnerships spanning Arts and Humanities, Digital and Cultural Heritage, Environmental Humanities, Mathematics, Cybersecurity and Environmental Science. Their growing doctoral collaboration includes one of the most active EUTOPIA PhD Co-tutelle relationships, with Ca' Foscari becoming Warwick's most frequently nominated partner for host applications in 2026.
The renewed MoU also supports closer collaboration through Warwick's Venice Centre, creating opportunities for public engagement, shared use of facilities, and enhanced local academic activity in Venice, led by the Centre's new Director Dr. Bryan Barzeau.
Dr. Bryan Brazeau, Director of Warwick Venice Centre: "This agreement highlights the important work between our two institutions, not only at the international level and within the EUTOPIA alliance, but also on the ground in Venice. Ca' Foscari has been a close partner of the Warwick Venice Centre for many years, and we look forward to expanding our partnership with them in teaching, research, and public engagement in Venice, as Warwick celebrates 60 years of teaching in Italy in 2027 and the UK prepares to re-enter Erasmus+ in the same year. As the only UK university with a permanent site in Venice, we hope that our relationship with Ca' Foscari can light the way for further Uk-Italy educational collaborations."
These initiatives build on an already strong relationship, including Ca' Foscari Rector Tiziana Lippiello's participation in the launch of the Warwick Venice Centre in 2023; the collaboration of delivering the Marco Polo Programme; and the universities' ongoing senior leadership engagement.
This signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks the next chapter in an increasingly strategic relationship, positioning both institutions to deepen collaboration, create new opportunities for students and staff, and contribute jointly to addressing the complex challenges facing society through world-leading research and education.
