Rice and Venice International University
Rice University now holds official membership in Venice International University (VIU), a transnational consortium of 24 partner institutions dedicated to collaborative, interdisciplinary education. By joining VIU, Rice gains access to a global academic network of diverse cultures and disciplines, deepening Rice’s commitment to international collaboration and strengthening Rice's role as a university that not only generates knowledge locally but also contributes to solving problems on a global scale.
Rice-VIU Partnership for Faculty and Students
With a focus on pressing global challenges such as climate change, cultural heritage, public health and sustainability, VIU offers Rice students and faculty opportunities to learn and teach internationally in immersive, globally integrated classrooms.
Rice Faculty: Teach in VIU's Globalization Program
Rice University invites tenured, tenure-track, and full-time teaching faculty to apply for nomination to teach in VIU's Globalization Program, which is a semester-based undergraduate curriculum taught in English and open to students from all member universities. Each term, professors teach two courses over 15 weeks in Venice. VIU provides faculty housing, travel support and professional engagement throughout their stay, including access to local archives, museums and affiliated universities. The university also encourages faculty to connect across disciplines and institutions, often resulting in co-taught seminars, collaborative research and even book projects that grow out of conversations on campus.
This is an opportunity for faculty to extend their scholarship, pilot interdisciplinary offerings, and be part of an academic community that’s as globally minded as their research. Selected faculty will join a global teaching cohort, contribute to curriculum design, and gain access to the broader VIU network for potential research and scholarly collaboration.
➡️ CLICK HERE for eligibility, timeline, and how to apply
Faculty should email global@rice.edu with any questions.
Rice Undergrads: Enroll in VIU's Globalization Program
Starting Fall 2026, Rice undergraduate students can enroll in VIU’s Globalization Program, an English‑taught, semester-long program in Venice. The program features 20+ courses each term with credit recognized by member universities. You’ll study alongside a truly international cohort while exploring core topics and rotating specialization tracks.
➡️ CLICK HERE for eligibility, timeline, and how to apply
Undergraduate students should email globalowls@rice.edu with any questions.
Rice Graduate Students: Participate in VIU’s Intensive Graduate Activities
Starting Spring 2026, Rice graduate students can participate in VIU’s Intensive Graduate Activities, designed to equip emerging researchers not only with skills for successful careers in academia and beyond, but also with the intellectual agility and collaborative mindset required to contribute meaningfully to global academic and societal debates.
➡️ CLICK HERE to learn more about opportunities for grad students at VIU
Graduate students should email globalowls@rice.edu with any questions.