Queen’s University Belfast has formalised a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Purdue University (based in Indiana, USA), marking the commencement of a multifaceted collaboration. This MoU is a testament to both institutions' commitment to advancing academic and research synergies, said a spokesperson for Queen's.
"Purdue University, renowned for its top-tier engineering department in North America, brings to this partnership a wealth of expertise and a global reputation. This collaboration is a strategic milestone for our Belfast Region City Deal-funded Global Innovation Institute (GII) and Queen’s University, promising to unlock new potential in key sectors such as ICT, agrifood, and healthcare engineering.
"With Purdue hosting esteemed research centres, like the Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering and the Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), this alliance presents an unparalleled opportunity to amalgamate complementary skills to tackle global challenges."
Key areas of cooperation
- Faculty and Research Scholar Exchange: This initiative will facilitate the sharing of expertise and foster a vibrant academic exchange.
- Student Exchange Programmes: These programmes aim to enrich the educational experience of students from both institutions.
- Collaborative Research: The partnership will focus on pioneering research in areas of mutual interest, enhancing learning and teaching methodologies and promoting active engagement in scholarly activities.
- Technical Assistance: This element underscores a commitment to shared knowledge and resources in advancing technological frontiers.
- Joint Educational and Research Initiatives: The partnership is open to exploring additional avenues of cooperation in education and research.
Professor Michalis Matthaiou, deputy director of the Centre for Wireless Innovation (CWI) at Queen’s School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Science (EEECS), and a university internationalisation champion, said: “This five-year agreement with Purdue University, a long-standing partner known for its world-class engineering school, is a significant step for Queen’s. It not only cements our ongoing collaborations but also paves the way for future joint endeavours,” he said.