On 19 October 2026, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Università Iuav di Venezia and Huaqiao University, a Chinese academic institution in Fujian province with campuses in Xiamen and Quanzhou. The agreement involves the Institute of Maritime Silk Road, the School of Architecture, the School of Urban and Rural Architectural Heritage Protection and the School of Landscape Architecture.

A significant role is played by the academic units in Quanzhou, a port city that for centuries was one of the main hubs of the Maritime Silk Road. The historical and cultural context in which they operate has helped develop a tradition of studies on landscape, built heritage and the relationships between the environment and human settlements. The University’s School of Fine Arts is also based in the same city.

The agreement was promoted for Iuav by the rector’s delegate for international relations, Angelo Maggi. The aim is to launch joint research projects, exchange activities and scientific collaborations on the themes of cohabitation, landscape protection and rural architecture, issues that concern the transformation of territories, sustainability and the enhancement of cultural heritage.