ITALY-CHINA COOPERATION: MINISTER VALERIA FEDELI AWARDED SANT’ANNA SCHOOL PROFESSOR THE ITALY-CHINA RESEARCH AND INNOVATION COOPERATION AWARD
The “China–Italy Science, Technology & Innovation Week” 2017 held in Beijing on November 13-17, offered an opportunity to universities and research centers to introduce their technologies, promote innovation systems and enhance scientific partnerships. Sant'Anna School recently signed the “Sino-Italian Research and Innovation Area” cooperation agreement to develop a joint research center in Chongqing for technical training opportunities and start-ups foundation. Last week Italian and Chinese academics, scientists and business leaders (750 Italian participants and over 400 Chinese representatives from companies and institutions) met to explore patterns of strategic cooperation between government institutions and international organizations, contributing to scientific innovation and technology development.
Ministers Valeria Fedeli (Minister for Education, University and Research) and Wan Gang (Minister for Science and Technology) discussed their progress in tackling societal challenges through innovation and collaborative research. During the meeting, Minister Fedeli awarded Professor Alberto Di Minin, director of the Confucius Institute - Pisa and of the Chongqing Galileo Galilei Italian Institute, the “China- Italy Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Award” in recognition of his commitment to the China-Italy partnership through bilateral scientific cooperation. In addition to Professor Alberto Di Minin, five Italian scientists and experts received the prize: Roberto Battiston, president - Italian Space Agency; Luigi Ambrosio, director -IPBC CNR; Marco Maggiora, director –INFN IHEP Labs.; Plinio Innocenzi, scientific attache - Italian Embassy in Beijing; Alessandra Pastorelli, Unit for Scientific Cooperation - Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 2017 edition China-Italy Science, Technology & Innovation Week was hosted in Beijing, Chengdu and Guiyang: the China-Italy Innovation Forum and the Sino-Italian Exchange events were held in Beijing. The events promoted by Ministries of both countries and Città della Scienza –Naples, represented the most important China-Italy bilateral events in the field of research and innovation.
“I feel honored to receive this award– said Alberto di Minin – However, this prize is a very important achievement for the Confucius Institute and the Chongqing Galileo Galilei Italian Institute team members. As partners we have developed successful scientific cooperation and mutual respect. On December 10 we will celebrate our 10th anniversary and reaffirm our strong commitment to work together and find new innovative ways to bring future China-Italy partnerships and new financing possibilities. Our latest project, the "Sino Italian Innovation Base-Camp” in Chongqing, is based on partnership between private and public institutions”.
Minister Valeria Fedeli also highlighted the importance of celebrating the achievements and hard work of Anna Facchinetti, executive director of the Chongqing Galileo Galilei Italian Institute, whose dedication allows Italy and China to enhance their scientific successes.
Cover photo: Minister Valeria Fedeli attending the “China–Italy Science, Technology & Innovation Week”.
