The University of Queensland and the University of Exeter have reinforced their strong relationship by cementing a new partnership designed to bolster their joint global research impact.
The universities have partnered to establish the QUEX Institute as part of a wide-reaching Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the two world-leading institutions.
The partnership will strengthen a joint commitment to co-produce research of the highest quality, boost industrial and business collaboration, and publish high-level policy reports designed to inform and shape key government initiatives across the globe.
UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Høj said the MOA would enhance well-established research and people-to-people links between the universities.
“We share a focus on global knowledge leadership and research excellence, supporting positive social and environmental change,” Professor Høj said.
“Global connectedness and partnerships multiply the efforts of our dedicated researchers and lead to discoveries and services that create positive change for people around the world.
“Through our relationships with leading international universities such as Exeter, we are finding solutions to some of the big problems of our time, and ensuring a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Working under the overarching banner of ‘Global Sustainability and Wellbeing’, the QUEX Institute will focus on environmental sustainability, healthy ageing, physical activity and nutrition, and act as a cross-continental think-tank to engage with industry, research organisations, governments and funders worldwide.
Operating as a ‘virtual’ institute, the QUEX Institute will also promote opportunities for academics to conduct collaborative research at both universities, facilitated through specified and targeted investment.
New joint PhD programs will offer the most talented doctoral students the opportunity to benefit from the combined expertise and facilities at both institutions.
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Exeter Professor Sir Steve Smith said Exeter was incredibly excited to announce details of the new strategic partnership with UQ.
“We share a wealth of common research interests, which address some of the major challenges facing the world’s population, and this collaboration will help us meet these challenges head-on through truly world-leading research,” Professor Smith said.
“Together, I believe we can nurture a pioneering approach to cross-continental research that is centred on ideas, skills and – perhaps most importantly – people, to stimulate new philosophies, policies and studies that will have a global impact.”
Exeter and UQ already enjoy a close working relationship, particularly in science and medical research and, increasingly, in humanities and social science collaborations.
In the past five years there have been more than 250 joint publications between the two institutions, while a number of Exeter academics have taken up specific research roles at UQ.
Media: UQ Communications, communications@uq.edu.au, +61 7 3364 1120.
