Back row L-R: Prof Sally Faulkner (Associate Dean International Development, Exeter), Prof Rehan Sadiq (Executive Associate Dean, School of Engineering, UBC Okanagan), Prof Dan Charman (PVC and Executive Dean, Exeter), Prof Gord Binsted (Dean of Faculty of Health & Social Development, UBC Okanagan), Prof Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova (Associate Dean International Development, Exeter), Prof Bryce Traister (Dean of Faculty of Creative, Critical Studies at UBC Okanagan)

Front row L-R: Prof Sir Steve Smith (Vice-Chancellor, Exeter), Prof Deborah Buszard (DVC and Principal of UBC Okanagan)

University of Exeter strengthens partnership with University of British Columbia Okanagan

Professor Sir Steve Smith, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter and Professor Deborah Buszard, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Principal of University of British ColumbiaOkanagan have signed a new partnership agreement that commits $120,000 (Canadian) to develop and expand relationships across both universities.

The focus for the investment will be developing research and education links between:

• University of Exeter’s College of Humanities and the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies and cognate departments in the Irving K Barber School of Arts and Sciences ($40,000 investment)
• University of Exeter’s College of Life and Environmental Sciences and UBC Okanagan’s School of Health and Exercise Sciences ($40,000 investment)
• University of Exeter’s College of Engineering, Maths and Physical Sciences and UBC Okanagan’s School of Engineering ($40,000 investment)

In line with each organisation’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 programmes 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.

Professor Sir Steve Smith said:

“I am delighted to welcome Professor Deborah Buszard and the team from the University of British ColumbiaOkanagan to Exeter. We have signed an agreement today that further deepens our partnership with an outstanding higher education institution in Canada and on the world stage. The investment from both universities will create new opportunities for students and staff as well as bring benefit to the local communities we serve. Top universities 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 the University of British Columbia to make the exceptional happen.”

Professor Deborah Buszard said:

“It was a pleasure to visit the University of Exeter this week and see their leading research in areas such as the Digital Humanities Lab and the Living Systems Institute. The agreement we have signed will strengthen our collaboration in the arts and sciences supporting even more academics and students to work together and solve global challenges. This is also a great opportunity for our team on the Okanagan campus to establish rewarding partnerships with a leading UK university.”    

Date: 15 October 2019