On December 4, 2025, Professor Fabrizio Dughiero from the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova was officially appointed as a Visiting Professor of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). This significant appointment was reported by a news outlet in Padova, Italy, which also praised HUST’s recent progress and development.

Professor Dughiero serves as the Head of the Department of Industrial Engineering and Chief Scientist of the Electrothermal Laboratory at the University of Padova. His research focuses on electromagnetic processing of materials and innovation policy. He is recognized for his leadership in academic research, the transfer of knowledge from university to industry, and the development of regional innovation ecosystems.

“This appointment is a great honor for me,” stated Professor Dughiero. He emphasized that this collaboration signifies a new stage in the partnership between HUST and the University of Padova. Both institutions will continue to strengthen cooperation in research, academic exchange, and talent development.

Professor Dughiero expressed his firm belief in the value of exchanges between people and ideas. He highlighted that mobility among faculty and students promotes understanding, trust, and bridges between cultures. He thanked colleagues at HUST and the University of Padova for their support and looked forward to expanding collaboration, enhancing its quality and effectiveness, and contributing to educational and technological integration between China and Europe.

On behalf of HUST President Professor You Zheng, Professor Luo Xiaobing, Dean of the School of Energy and Chinese Dean of the China–EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy (ICARE), presented the appointment letter to Professor Dughiero.

Founded in 1222, the University of Padova is among Italy’s oldest universities and has a significant historical role in European higher education. It is renowned for its academic heritage and research strength, having produced many notable scholars, including Galileo Galilei, and has made outstanding contributions in fields such as medicine, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.