From March 17 to 22, Professor Sun Cheng, Dean of School of Architecture and Design, led a delegation on an official visit to Italy and Spain. The itinerary included visits to Politecnico di Torino, the University of Pisa, the University of Seville, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and the Barcelona Urban Development Agency. During the visit, Dean Sun was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the Order of Architects in Turin, Italy. The visit aimed to deepen international partnerships, expand the scope of cooperation, and promote collaborative development in education and scientific research with institutions in Italy and Spain. A series of mutual agreements were reached. In alignment with the university’s strategic goal of strengthening its talent base, the delegation also hosted a talent engagement forum at Politecnico di Torino to enhance the global impact of its talent initiatives.
On March 17 and 18, the delegation began its visit at Politecnico di Torino. Meetings were held with Michele Bonino, Dean of the School of Architecture and Design; Francesco Novelli, Co-Executive Director of the China Center; Elena Dellapiana, Head of Design Studies; Lorenzo Savio, Director of the Joint Education Program; Marco Begani, China Regional Officer of the International Cooperation Office; and Francesca Palazzo, Project Director of the International Cooperation Office. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on existing joint education programs and international joint laboratories. They explored ways to expand the scope of collaboration, including high-level student joint training programs and design practice cooperation, and reached broad consensus on future initiatives.
Dean Sun Cheng emphasized that the two universities are strategic partners, with nearly two decades of solid collaboration in the fields of architecture and design. Remarkable achievements have been made in joint talent cultivation and scientific research. Notably, in recent years, key milestones—such as the Ministry of Education-approved Chinese-foreign cooperative program in Smart Architecture and Construction, as well as the establishment of International Joint Laboratory for Green and Low-Carbon Urban Renewal—have marked a new stage of integrated and progressive cooperation between the two universities. In response to emerging trends in disciplinary development and ongoing innovation in education, Dean Sun expressed hopes for further collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and urban regeneration. Future cooperation is expected to include faculty development, joint talent training programs, co-hosted academic activities, and visiting scholar exchanges, with the goal of enhancing both sides’ capacities in teaching and research.
Meetings held at Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Following the meeting, Dean Sun and Professor Michele Bonino, Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at Politecnico di Torino and international co-director of International Joint Laboratory for Green and Low-Carbon Urban Renewal, unveiled the nameplate for the laboratory’s overseas base. In addition, appointment certificates were presented to the international members of the lab’s Academic Committee: Professor Francesca Spigarelli from the University of Macerata and Professor Andrea Gritti from Politecnico di Milano.
Dean Sun Cheng Unveils the Jointly Established International Joint Laboratory Approved by the Ministry of Education and Presents Appointment Letters to International Experts of the Academic Committee
During the visit to Politecnico di Torino, the delegation led by Dean Sun Cheng held an exhibition themed “Architectural Digital Transition” at the Sala Colonne gallery. In addition, on behalf of the School of Architecture and Design at Harbin Institute of Technology, Dean Sun gave a presentation to the entire faculty of Politecnico di Torino’s School of Architecture and Design, outlining the school’s development and exchanging ideas with faculty representatives. The delegation also hosted a talent engagement forum for postdoctoral researchers and PhD students from the School of Architecture and Design. Dean Sun provided a comprehensive introduction to HIT, highlighting the school’s strengths in disciplinary development, research platform construction, key areas of talent recruitment, and specific initiatives. He extended a sincere invitation to global talents to join HIT. Following the presentation, a lively Q&A and one-on-one discussion session was held, during which attendees engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics of shared interest in a warm and dynamic atmosphere.
Opening Ceremony of the Architectural Digital Transition Thematic Exhibition
Dean Sun Cheng Introduces Our School to the Faculty of the School of Architecture and Design at Politecnico di Torino
Overseas Talent Forum Held at Politecnico di Torino
While in Turin, Dean Sun was also invited by the Order of Architects of Turin to attend their academic event “Polito Studio – Opportunities and Exchanges in Architectural Practice,” where he delivered a keynote speech titled “Computational Design Practice.”
Dean Sun Cheng Delivers Keynote Speech at the Invitation of the Order of Architects of Turin, Italy
On March 19, the delegation visited the University of Pisa, where they met with Paola Cappellini, Director of the International Cooperation Office; Arianna Biancani, Asia Region Coordinator; Professors Riccardo Barsotti and Giacomo Salvadori from the Department of Civil Engineering; and Professor Simone Camarri from the Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Construction Engineering. The discussions focused on faculty exchange, student mobility in the field of Building and Environmental Engineering, and joint course development. Both parties reached a preliminary consensus on postgraduate joint training and committed to accelerating follow-up work to ensure timely implementation of agreements.
Meeting Held at the University of Pisa
On March 20, the delegation visited the University of Seville in Spain. The visit began with a meeting with Vice Rector Professor Carmen Vargas Macías, followed by in-depth talks at the School of Architecture. Vice Rector Vargas provided a detailed overview of the university and emphasized that collaboration between the two institutions aims to create a broad platform for exchange between faculty and students, fostering academic excellence and professional growth. She proposed building upon the existing university-level memorandum of understanding and student exchange agreement to explore further opportunities for deeper collaboration. At the School of Architecture, the delegation met with Dean Professor Ramón Pico Valimaña and other faculty members. After thorough discussions, both sides reached a preliminary agreement to promote collaboration through concrete initiatives such as summer schools, joint teaching, student competitions, and dual-degree programs for graduate students. A foundational framework for future cooperation between the two institutions was established.
Dean Sun Cheng and Vice Rector Carmen Vargas of the University of Seville
Meeting Held at the School of Architecture, University of Seville
On the morning of March 21, the delegation visited the Barcelona City Council’s Urban Development Department. Marc Carrasco Bultó, Director for Asia-Pacific Affairs at the International Relations Office, provided a comprehensive overview of Barcelona’s achievements and developments in urban planning and architecture. The two sides held in-depth discussions on academic collaboration and student internships, reaching a preliminary consensus on future cooperation.
Meeting Held at the Urban Development Agency of Barcelona, Spain
That afternoon, the delegation continued its visit to the School of Architecture (ETSAB) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). During the visit, they held productive talks with Dean Professor Felix Solaguren-Beascoa de Corral, Vice Dean Professor Eulalia Gomez Escoda, and Ms. Kok Wong, Head of China Affairs at UPC's International Office. Through extensive discussions, the two parties reached a consensus on faculty and student exchanges as well as joint training programs, and agreed to actively promote the formalization of a cooperation agreement.
Meeting Held at the School of Architecture (ETSAB), Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain
This visit to Italy and Spain by the HIT delegation was strategic and of far-reaching significance. It aimed not only to consolidate and deepen existing partnerships but also to align with the evolving global landscape, advancing HIT’s internationalization strategy with tangible outcomes. Moving forward, our school will focus on implementing and expanding the results of this visit, working toward comprehensive and high-level cooperation with academic institutions worldwide.
Faculty representatives from the Department of Architecture, Department of Urban and Rural Planning, Department of Design, and Department of Building Thermal Engineering of HIT also participated in the visit, bringing their professional expertise to enhance the school’s international engagement efforts.
