As a member institution of Venice International University (VIU), IUSS Pavia is taking part in the Guiding Transitions International Conference, scheduled for November 27–28, 2025 on San Servolo Island (Venice), as part of the celebrations marking VIU’s 30th anniversary.

The conference stems from the need to reflect on the major transitions of our time, which are increasingly rapid, complex and pervasive, affecting education, society, the environment and urban transformations. In this context, higher education institutions are called upon to play a key role in equipping students with the skills and tools needed to understand and govern change.

Rector Mario Martina will take part in the conference as a member of the Steering Committee during the opening session and will contribute to the Closing Remarks, offering reflections on the role of universities in global transition processes.

Within the scientific programme, Prof. Riccardo Pietrabissa, former Rector of IUSS Pavia, will chair the session:

🤖 Transition in Higher Education and Artificial Intelligence

with keynote lectures by:

• Luc Steels – AI and Society: The Dilemmas of AI in Higher Education
• Ece Kamar – Navigating the AI Horizon: Promises, Perils, and the Power of Collaboration

The other sessions will address key topics such as structural inequalities, ecological and environmental transition, and cities in transition, with contributions from scholars and researchers from international universities and research centers.

The conference is open to academics, researchers, experts and professionals from VIU member institutions and the wider international academic community.

📍 San Servolo Island, Venice
📅 November 27–28, 2025

🔗 Programme and registration:
https://www.univiu.org/about-viu/30th-anniversary/guiding-transitions-international-conference