(17 March 2016) New lines of cooperation are being opened between Sicily and Russia, thanks to an agreement signed in Moscow between the University of Palermo and the State University of Land Use Planning in the Russian capital. The Dean of Palermo University, Fabrizio Micari, explained the new partnership: “the agreement provides for an operative part relating to a dual degree in Ecology and Natural Sciences, to the exchange of teachers of Russian and Italian language,initiating joint research projects in fields of mutual interest (in particular ecology and engineering), and providing for advanced training workshops on the rights of migrants and legislation”. During the meeting, the two delegations also defined an operational collaboration between the Polytechnic School of the University of Palermo, in the figure of President Maurizio Carta, and the principals of the local Architecture and Spatial Planning Departments relating to a master’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism, the exchange of students for advanced training, and the initiation of joint research in the field of architecture, urban planning and sustainable development.