The term “hub” refers to a central point of connection, much like the hub of a wheel or a major international airport from which numerous routes extend outward. Envisioned jointly by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and Kansai Medical University, the Academic Hub has been established at two locations—Venice (Ca’ Bottacin) and Osaka (Kansai Medical University)—to serve as a center for collaborative research and innovation. Professor Giuseppe Pezzotti, Director of the Biomedical Engineering Center, also serves as the Director of the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice – Kansai Medical University Academic Hub. This initiative aims to integrate medical engineering and artificial intelligence by connecting people, ideas, and technologies. Through this collaboration, the Hub is expected to generate significant benefits for both institutions and contribute to the advancement of interdisciplinary research on a global scale.

This initiative involves two academic divisions at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice: the Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, and the Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems. In addition to establishing the Academic Hub, the partnership has also launched a Double Degree PhD Program. The doctoral program is designed to be conducted at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Three positions are available for Ca’ Foscari students, and upon successful completion of the program, each student is awarded two doctoral degrees, one from each partner institution. Through this collaborative project, the partners aim to develop innovative solutions for systemic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and stroke, while fostering international research and academic exchange.