Building an international research network to address the major challenges of the future, from health and artificial intelligence to sustainable energy and climate change. This is the goal of the Memorandum of Understanding signed today by the University of Milano-Bicocca, the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), based in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, and Bicocca Foundation.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed this morning during the MoU Signing Ceremony held at the BIM Auditorium, attended by Marco Emilio Orlandi, Rector of the University of Milano-Bicocca, Sir Edward Byrne, President of KAUST, Pierre J. Magistretti, Senior Vice President for Research at KAUST, and Giovanna Iannantuoni, President of Bicocca Foundation.
The agreement strengthens the University’s internationalisation strategy and establishes a strategic framework for developing joint activities in research, advanced education and technology transfer. It will build on the institutions’ complementary scientific expertise while fostering collaboration among researchers, academic staff and students across the three institutions.
The Memorandum identifies a number of priority areas for collaboration, which are expected to lead to specific projects over the coming years. These include smart health, with a particular focus on precision medicine, neuroscience and digital health; artificial intelligence and data science applied to research; the energy transition and sustainable energy technologies; environmental sustainability, including marine science, climate change and natural resource management; biotechnology and sustainable food systems. The partnership will also support initiatives in innovation, technology transfer, international mobility and advanced education.
«This agreement marks the beginning of a shared journey with KAUST, founded on common scientific interests and complementary expertise. I am proud that a public, multidisciplinary university such as Milano-Bicocca can build on the research carried out across its departments to establish a partnership with a world-leading scientific institution. We look forward to developing this collaboration over time, because it is through scientific dialogue and cooperation that universities generate new knowledge and foster innovation», said Marco Emilio Orlandi, Rector of the University of Milano-Bicocca.
«Research grows when it crosses borders, disciplines and scientific cultures. Our ambition, as Fondazione Università Bicocca, is to connect knowledge, skills and different ecosystems so that research can become innovation, innovation can generate new opportunities, and education can prepare the people who will lead change. It is a mission we share with KAUST and the University of Milano-Bicocca, pursuing it with passion and with the belief that knowledge is not only something to be produced, but a responsibility to be shared», said Giovanna Iannantuoni, President of Bicocca Foundation
«KAUST is committed to translating discovery into meaningful impact, and this is a vision we share with the University of Milano-Bicocca and Fondazione Bicocca. Our converging interests, expertise, and capabilities provide a strong foundation for collaboration with potential to translate knowledge and innovation into tangible impact for society...», said Sir Edward Byrne, President of KAUST.
«This collaboration brings together areas that are at the heart of KAUST’s strategy and where we see strong potential for mutual impact: energy, marine science, health, water, food and AI. What makes this partnership particularly promising is the unique connection of the University of Milano-Bicocca and Fondazione Bicocca with the industrial and economic ecosystem of Milan and Northern Italy, one of Italy’s major engines of innovation and economic growth. By combining KAUST’s research excellence and strategic priorities with this strong network of industry and applied expertise, we can create concrete opportunities to translate discovery into development and real-world impact, providing a strong foundation for a long-term and highly productive collaboration», said Pierre J. Magistretti, Senior Vice President for Research at KAUST