Luis Miguel Varela Cabo, researcher at iMATUS, has been elected President of the Silkway Network, an international network of universities, academic institutions, and non-academic partners promoting cooperation in research, teaching, and international training between Europe and Asia.
The election took place during the 3rd Silkway Network Assembly, held in Turin (Italy), where members reviewed the activities carried out over the past year and defined strategic priorities for the 2026–2028 period. Key objectives include expanding the network towards India and, potentially, Latin America through Spanish institutions, as well as strengthening strategic relations with international institutes in member states.
Luis Miguel Varela succeeds Professor Maurizio Acciarri, from the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, who will continue his involvement in the network as Vice President.
An international network addressing global challenges
The Silkway Network draws inspiration from the historic Silk Road as a symbol of cultural and scientific exchange. Its mission is to foster academic and multidisciplinary collaboration through joint double and multiple degree programs, international doctoral programs, mobility initiatives for students and faculty, and research projects aimed at tackling major contemporary global challenges.
Founded and coordinated by the Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca and the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, the network brings together numerous European and Asian institutions, including Baku Higher Oil School, Eurasian National University, Fondazione Collegio delle Università Milanesi, Universidad de La Laguna, Universidade de Aveiro, University of International Business, University of Padova, Kyrgyz National University, National University of Uzbekistan, and Yazar University, among others.
Its areas of activity range from geopolitics and demography to energy and the environment, finance, law, infrastructure and connectivity, as well as theory, culture, and policy, promoting a holistic and interdisciplinary approach.
The multidisciplinary nature of the Silkway Network aligns closely with the philosophy of iMATUS, an institute that integrates knowledge from multiple scientific fields to advance materials research with applications in health, energy, environment, and industry. This convergence of disciplines is essential to addressing global challenges from a broad, collaborative, and international perspective.