On May 26, the third installment of the “Tongji Italy Journey” series successfully took place, featuring a visit to the renowned Italian company iGuzzini in China. Jointly organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in China, the Sino-Italian Campus of Tongji University, and iGuzzini Lighting (China) Co., Ltd., the event brought together faculty members and students from Tongji University and Fudan University.
Participants visited the iGuzzini China headquarters, the largest architectural lighting enterprise in Italy, for an in-depth exploration and academic exchange themed “Chasing Light: Italian Excellence in Design.” Through immersive lighting experiences, they gained insights into the innovative fusion of Italian technology and art.
Fabrizio Ferrari, Board Member of CCIC, and Chen Wei, Public Affairs Manager of CCIC, also attended the event.
At the event, Wang Jue, CFO of iGuzzini China, extended a warm welcome to the visiting faculty members and students. Xu Yunxia, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office and Vice Dean of the Sino-Italian Campus of Tongji University, emphasized in her speech that Sino-Italian university-enterprise collaboration represents a key pillar for international talent development and joint scientific research innovation. She noted that, in the future, students may find valuable career opportunities at iGuzzini or become important partners of the company, and that this “Pursuit of Light” journey marks an inspiring starting point for discovering Italy’s excellence in design.
Fabrizio Ferrari, Board Member of CCIC, highlighted that the Sino-Italian Campus of Tongji University is an important partner of the Chamber, and that young scholars and students are a driving force behind economic development. He encouraged the students to seize the opportunities of the times and become future ambassadors fostering stronger commercial and cultural ties between Italy and China.
Subsequently, Luca Tarsetti, Sales Director of iGuzzini Asia Pacific, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the company’s development history, highlighting its pioneering achievements in LED technology innovation and light pollution control. He also showcased several renowned domestic and international projects that successfully integrate local culture with distinctive design elements, while sharing the company’s vision and directions for future development.
On behalf of the visiting delegation, Chen Jingyu, a graduate student from the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at Tongji University, presented a certificate of appreciation to the company.
During the practical experience session, Gan Lu, Head of Marketing at iGuzzini, guided the faculty members and students through the immersive lighting exhibition area. Through scene simulations and demonstrations of changing light and shadow effects, participants experienced the impact of different lighting solutions firsthand and reflected on how light-driven design can reshape architectural spaces, support cultural heritage preservation, and enhance urban quality of life. The session also encouraged exploration of the intricate relationship between technology, culture, the environment, and human-centered functionality. During the Q&A session, students introduced themselves and engaged actively with questions related to their academic backgrounds and professional interests. The interactive exchange sparked creative inspiration and broadened their international perspectives.
