On May 17, 2025 the Assembly of Members of Venice International University voted unanimously in favor of admitting Rice University to the consortium.
Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, has an undergraduate student body of 4,800 students and a similar number of graduate students who pursue degrees across the Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, and Business. In 2024, Rice launched a new strategic plan that prioritizes international research and education. Creating opportunities for Rice faculty and students to co-teach and learn in the international academic community of VIU is destined to become a highly-prized component of Rice's internationalization initiatives.
President of VIU, Amb. Umberto Vattani, in a statement following the Assembly, highlighted how this prestigious addition in the year of VIU's 30th anniversary is a testament to the expanding reach of the educational and research mission of Venice International University:
Venice International University continues to write a remarkable story of success. What began with just five founding universities has grown, year after year, into a vibrant international network, welcoming prestigious institutions from around the world and continually expanding the reach of its educational and research mission.
Today, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we are especially proud to announce the unanimous decision of our Assembly of Members to welcome Rice University into the VIU consortium.
A world-class research institution based in Houston, Texas, Rice brings extraordinary strengths to VIU. 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. Its leadership has shown a genuine enthusiasm for forging strong, lasting ties with VIU and with our partner universities across the globe.
At VIU, our ambition is clear: to educate globally-minded students — capable of combining knowledge with values, science with culture, and identity with solidarity. 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.
We warmly welcome Rice University and look forward to a collaboration full of promise, innovation, and shared purpose.Amb. Umberto Vattani
President of Venice International University
During the meeting of the Assembly of Members, the VIU Organs of Governance were elected for a four-year term.
Amb. Umberto Vattani was confirmed as President, as was Prof. Carmelo Marabello in his role as the Dean, the chief academic officer of VIU.
The Board of Directors and the Academic Council were also elected for 2025-2028.
