Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) and British Columbia University (UBC), have signed a new strategic cooperation agreement in. It is the first strategic alliance between a German and a Canadian university in which both institutions set out to use synergies systematically and to foster cooperation in research and teaching between Berlin and Vancouver.
The two institutions have been co-operating for several years, and the relationship has proven to be of great value to students and faculty at both universities. The partnership agreement will allow FU Berlin and UBC to focus on the development of collaborative teaching activities and joint study programs and the promotion of junior researchers, with a particular emphasis on the doctoral and postdoctoral level.
The agreement will also allow joint research projects and the commercialisation of technology. In order to support the creation of such potential spin-outs, both universities will also be establishing a joint seed money funding scheme, for which specific partnership coordinators will be appointed. The size of the funding scheme has not yet been announced.
FU Berlin and UBC share a strong international outlook in research and teaching. Both already have several strategic partnerships with universities and research institutions abroad. FU Berlin’s network includes institutions in China, Russia and Israel, with new initiatives being developed with European partners. UBC’s network includes Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, Tokyo University and Peking University, as well as the Max Planck Society.
Peter-André Alt, president of Freie Universität Berlin, said: “This new transatlantic alliance has the potential to become an exemplary German-Canadian partnership. The teaming up of two highly dynamic world-class universities will open up new exciting opportunities to our students and researchers alike.”
