New funding will support student and faculty connections between institutions
UBC’s Okanagan campus has entered a new partnership agreement with the UK’s University of Exeter that commits CAD$120,000 to develop and expand relationships across both universities. Deborah Buszard, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UBC Okanagan, and Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter signed the agreement in Exeter last month.
“It was a pleasure to visit the University of Exeter and see their leading research in areas such as the Digital Humanities Lab and the Living Systems Institute,” says Buszard. “The agreement we have signed will strengthen our collaboration in the arts and sciences and support even more academics and students to work together and solve global challenges.”
“This is a great opportunity for our team at UBCO to establish rewarding partnerships with a leading UK university,” she adds.
The focus for the investment will be on developing research and education links in the areas of humanities, health and exercise sciences, environmental sciences and engineering.
“We have signed an agreement today that further deepens our partnership with an outstanding higher education institution in Canada and on the world stage,” says Smith. “The investment from both universities will create new opportunities for students and staff as well as bring benefit to the local communities we serve.”
In line with each organization’s strong commitment to sustainability and tackling climate change, the jointly funded initiatives will ask all project applicants to give careful thought to the impact and contribution to the environment.
Connections between the University of British Columbia and the University of Exeter have been growing since 2016 through student exchanges and research programs ranging from healthcare and energy to culture and the arts.
In May 2019, a new exchange agreement was signed to significantly expand the opportunities for undergraduate students to move between Exeter and British Columbia for high-quality teaching and research experiences.
Smith says strengthening international partnerships is an important priority as both institutions look to the future.
“As top universities, we must connect and act globally if we are to make a difference on the major challenges of our time and I am delighted to be working with UBC Okanagan to make the exceptional happen.”
