The Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Phil Taylor, welcomed the Italian Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Inigo Lambertini, to campus on 26 November. The Ambassador was accompanied by his son, an alumnus of Politics and International Relations of the University, and the First Secretary.

During his visit the Ambassador met with Italian University of Bath staff and students who contribute to the University’s diverse international community. He also had the opportunity to engage with staff from the Italian section within the Department of Politics, Languages & International Studies (PoLIS), including Silvia Boeri, whose teaching position is fully funded by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The University of Bath is one of only a small number of UK institutions to have an official Italian sponsored lettore, a role that involves fostering connections between students, staff, and Italian institutions, as well as advancing the study of the Italian language and culture internationally.

The Ambassador gave a speech to 80 students currently studying Italian at the University.

Commenting on the visit, Enrico Cecconi, Senior lecturer and Section Convenor for Italian, said:

It was a great honour to welcome His Excellency to the department of PoLIS and we are deeply grateful for the time the Ambassador dedicated to speaking with our students. It was a memorable experience in which students engaged in a meaningful dialogue with him, asking questions on themes relating to diplomacy, cultural identity and the relations between Italy and the UK that truly interested them.

The Ambassador’s personal connection to the University of Bath is especially meaningful as both of his sons have studied here.

Commenting on his visit the Ambassador said:

I was delighted to visit Bath University, a well-renowned British academic institution that plays a significant role in fostering innovation, research, and cultural exchange. I think that my visit has further highlighted the strong bonds between Italy and the United Kingdom, particularly in the fields of education and academic collaboration. I was impressed by the university’s commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators, and I look forward to exploring further opportunities for cooperation with the Italian diplomatic network in the United Kingdom.

Professor Phil Taylor said:

It was a pleasure to welcome Ambassador Lambertini to the University and to share the many ways our community engages globally through education, research and innovation. Our discussions highlighted Bath’s commitment to building meaningful international partnerships that address shared challenges and prepare our students to make a positive impact worldwide.