November 10, 2015

University of Wollongong joins global partnership

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has accepted an invitation to join the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN) as the Australasian member.

The UGPN was formed in 2011 and sets out to create opportunities for international collaboration enabling academics and students to work together on issues of global importance.

Its overall mission is “to develop sustainable world-class research, education and knowledge transfer through an active international network of selected universities”.

Core founding partners of UGPN are North Carolina State University, the University of Säo Paulo and the University of Surrey.

North Carolina State was founded in 1887 and it forms one of the corners of the ‘Research Triangle’ together with Duke University in Durham and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The University of Säo Paulo, founded in 1934, is the largest (11 campuses) and most prestigious university in Brazil. The University of Surrey in the UK is a research-led university founded in 1966. It has research strengths in medical and health sciences, engineering and business.

UOW’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Judy Raper said: “UOW can expect a heightened number of exchange staff and students coming to Wollongong from participating universities in the UGPN and greater opportunities to build multi-disciplinary teams with colleagues from these universities on areas of common interest.”

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings said: “We are delighted to join UGPN and to be part of an international consortium of leading research universities focussed on turning ideas into action.

"The members have great reputations in creating research outputs that have a major impact on social, economic and community needs. Collectively, we expect to work on globally significant research and educational priorities.”

More information about the UGPN.