Rice University has officially joined Venice International University, a prestigious global consortium of two dozen universities and institutions committed to international collaboration in teaching, research and innovation. The VIU Assembly unanimously ratified Rice’s membership in mid-May, making Rice only the third university in the Americas to be welcomed into the association.
“This is a unique opportunity for Rice faculty and students to teach and learn in truly international classrooms,” said Caroline Levander, Rice’s vice president for global strategy. “VIU partner universities come from around the world, and include, for example, Stellenbosch University, Ludwig Maximillan Universitäte, Tsinghua University, University of Lausanne, Duke University and Waseda University among others. As a result, these classrooms are a microcosm of the world.”
“It is crucially important for Rice to build a global strategy that integrates with the best institutions around the world and VIU is an invaluable accelerator for that commitment,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Located on the Island of San Servolo in Venice, Italy, VIU provides a transnational academic platform where students and faculty from around the world engage in interdisciplinary programs focused on global challenges such as climate change, sustainability, cultural heritage and governance.
“At VIU, our ambition is clear: to educate globally minded students — capable of combining knowledge with values, science with culture, and identity with solidarity,” said Ambassador Umberto Vattani, VIU’s president. “In a world too often fractured by conflict and narrow perspectives, we are working to cultivate a new generation prepared to act with responsibility and vision for the benefit of our communities and the future of the planet.”
Founded in 1995, VIU offers semester-long and summer sessions through its Globalization Program, as well as intensive graduate seminars, doctoral academies and summer schools. As a member, Rice may send up to 50 students annually to participate in these programs and Rice faculty will have the opportunity to teach alongside international peers.
“It’s a very innovative teaching pedagogy,” Levander said. “As a faculty member that excites me. I know it will excite other Rice faculty.”
The School of Social Sciences will serve as the inaugural academic liaison for the partnership with the Global Affairs program launching Rice’s first curricular offerings at VIU.
“This is a remarkable opportunity for Social Sciences and our new Global Affairs programs to engage even more profoundly with international curricula and learning communities,” said Rachel Kimbro, dean of the School of Social Sciences.
“With its excellence in fields ranging from health innovation and sustainable cities to energy, the environment and global policy, Rice shares VIU’s commitment to addressing the urgent challenges of our time,” Vattani said. “Its leadership has shown a genuine enthusiasm for forging strong, lasting ties with VIU and with our partner universities across the globe.”
For media inquiries or more information about Rice’s partnership with VIU, contact Rice media relations specialist Brandi Smith.