Giovanna Iannantuoni
Rector of the University of Milano-Bicocca
President of the Conference of Rectors of Italian Universities

Opening Ceremony of the 2nd Semester 2024-25
Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5 pm
Auditorium

Opening Remarks
Amb. Umberto Vattani, President of Venice International University
Prof. Carmelo Marabello, Dean of Venice International University

Special Presentation
The Silent Echoes of a Great Sound Sculpture
An experimental artwork by renowned American artist Bill Fontana, featuring The Campanone of St. Peter’s Basilica, inaugurated in Rome on February 16.
Curated by Amb. Umberto Vattani.

Reception to follow.

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Venice International University is honored to welcome Prof. Giovanna Iannantuoni as the distinguished speaker for the Opening Ceremony of the Second Semester.
During the ceremony, which also marks the beginning of VIU’s 30th anniversary celebrations, VIU President, Ambassasdor Umberto Vattani and VIU Dean, Prof. Carmelo Marabello will welcome the students and professors from the VIU member institutions who will participate in the Globalization Program this semester.

The Globalization Program this semester offers students of the member universities the opportunity to take courses on intercultural communication, travel writing, and critical aspects of globalization, which will provide insights into the complexities of cultural exchange and identity in a globalized world. Specialization tracks focus on environmental sustainability and urban transformation, covering topics such as sustainable technologies, food systems, multinational corporations, and scientific communication. Urban studies courses analyze city development and heritage, while environmental humanities investigate the evolving relationship between humans and nature. This dynamic curriculum equips students with a global perspective, critical analytical skills, and a deeper understanding of pressing contemporary issues. Every semester of the program there is a core course offering through which students can study Venice’s history, architecture, and artistic heritage, and examine Italian contemporary history through film, while language learners can enhance their proficiency in Italian at various levels.

Prof. Giovanna Iannantuoni is a graduate of Bocconi University, and was awarded a PhD in Economics by the Université Catholique de Louvain. Her field of research is game theory with applications to electoral systems. After carrying out various assignments abroad, she returned to Italy to the University of Milano-Bicocca of which she has been the rector since 2019.
She is currently the President of the Conference of University Rectors of Italy (CRUI), Vice President of CINECA, member of the Supervisory Board of FhT, President of MUSA scarl, and member of the Board of Directors of the Anthem Foundation and Corriere della Sera Foundation.