Cultural bridge between Italy and China to boost the knowledge of Italian design, of quality and sophistication of the “Made in Italy”

On March 15, Mr. Roberto Snaidero, President of FederlegnoArredo and Prof. Fang Shouen, Vice President, of Tongji University, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in the field of design and innovation.

The agreement will result in a series of joint activities with the scope to provide to Tongji professional architects and interior designers post degree and students network, business experiences, cultural exchange opportunities and a deep knowledge of the “Made in Italy”.

“FederlegnoArredo has a strong commitment with the education. We firmly believe that it is very important the cooperation with the academic world, in such a market as China, already one of the main players in the worldwide economy”, expressed Roberto Snaidero.

Project driven by Giancarlo Tintori, architect, FederlegnoArredo collaborator and also lecturer at Tongji University will bring benefits to both parties. “The advantages of this agreement are clear: new young interior designers and architects generations, being able to access to a deeper knowledge of the Italian culture and products, will have better job opportunities. On the other hand, our company members may experience an increment of interest towards their companies and a better understanding of their products from the current and future key decision makers in China”, stated Roberto Snaidero.

The first important appointment in the mutual agenda is the participation of Tongji University during Salone del Mobile.Milano, from April 12 to 17, with a stand at Salone Satellite, event focus on young designers. This year under the theme "New Materials, New Design, you can visit Tongji University at stand n E19, Pavilion 5.

A delegation of Chinese VIP guests and high-end professional designers and architects will also attend Salone del Mobile.Milano, the most import and annual worldwide design event, and will enter in contact with FedelergnoArredo companies.

FEDERLEGNOARREDO and TONGJI with jointly also collaborate in organizing high-end training courses for professional designers and architects and educational programs for students; design workshops and competitions to assist and reward student based start-ups, create linkage between young innovators and industry; providing internship and job opportunities for young talented graduates and designers; organizing study tours and visits for delegations of students, professors and designers in Italy; and involving Chinese and Italian enterprises, designers, architects through the network of both Parties and/or other channels in forums, seminars and meetings to facilitate bilateral cooperation.

Italy and China will be the scenario to develop the future activities, in the most appropriate structures to guarantee a successful cooperation with the aim to promote the relation between Chinese architects and designers with Italian companies.

FederlegnoArredo is the association that represents the Italian wood-furniture sector, aimed at gathering, assisting, safeguarding and coordinating the activities of Italian companies, from raw materials to finished products, both in Italy and in foreign markets.

TONGJI UNIVERSITY, leading university in China, is a comprehensive, international, research-oriented university with distinct features and global influence, that values the balanced development between education, research, outreach, and culture inheritance and innovation.

(Source: FederlegnoArredo)