On January 15, 2021, the strategic cooperation conference between Tongji University and Polytechnic University of Turin was held at Tongji University and Polytechnic University of Turin via online video connection. The conference focused on academic exchanges and visits for students and faculty and the expansion of international cooperation in academic fields, and discussed new ideas for the future development of Sino-Italian education.

Lei Xinghui, Vice President of Tongji University and Dean of TJSIC; Michele Bonino, Vice Rector of Polytechnic University of Turin; Chen Yi, Executive Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tongji University; Elisa Armando, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Polytechnic University of Turin; Lou Yongqi, Dean of the College of Design and Innovation; Bian Yongming, Dean of the School of Mechanical and Energy Engineering; Zhang Hao, Vice Dean of the School of Electronic Information and Engineering of Tongji University; Professor Roberto Pagani and other representatives from Polytechnic University of Turin and from Tongji's School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Telecommunications, College of Design and Innovation, Foreign Affairs Office and TJSIC attended the conference.

The conference acknowledged the accomplishment of POLITONG programs (the Sino-Italian undergraduate double-degree programs in Machinery Design & Manufacturing & Automation and Information Engineering, and the Master of Design double-degree program), and expressed further dedication to the exploration of innovative development and the integration of new models of teacher interaction, student exchange and summer projects. In addition to collaborations in the fields of mechanics, telecommunications and civil engineering, cooperation will be further expanded in the fields of intelligent transportation, automotive engineering and humanities.