The Letter of Intent will advance the existing relationship between Queen’s University and the George Washington University, with both institutions committing to exploring collaborations for joint research activities, faculty exchange and collaboration and curricular coordination at the graduate level.

“This Letter of Intent for Collaboration with the George Washington University, is the latest milestone in a very productive partnership and one I am delighted to sign,” said Professor Margaret Topping, Queen’s University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement.

“It demonstrates our shared ambition to grow and diversify a relationship that has already increased understanding of real-world problems through academic expertise.

“Our relationship has already created opportunities for academic engagement, in areas such as writing, pedagogy, physical sciences and sustainability and has helped those, especially in post-conflict societies.

“This MoU increases the scope of the areas in which our institutions will work together and deepens the collaboration between both universities.”

The existing partnership sees between 25 and 30 GW students come to Queen’s each year as part of the GW Global Bachelor’s Program.

Queen’s University student, Leah Gibney, said her time as an exchange student at George Washington University was an experience she’d love to repeat.

“I've always wanted to spend some time studying outside of the UK, and as a Politics, Philosophy and Economics student George Washington University stood out because it is at the heart of American politics in Washington, DC,’’ Leah said.

“I also thought a semester abroad would be a great chance to challenge myself, meet people from different backgrounds, and experience living somewhere completely new.

“The campus felt really welcoming and there was always lots of events going on. My advice to other students considering a semester at George Washington University is to go for it. I wish I could do it again, so make the most of everything the experience has to offer.”

Academics from both universities have previously successfully collaborated to explore the role that public history and the arts can play in helping resolve difficult pasts and inter-communal divisions.

Sustainability is a key priority for both institutions illustrated through frameworks such as STARS (the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System), a self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

As part of their shared ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, Queen’s and GW were among universities to take part in a St. Patrick’s Day sustainability celebration to explore collaborative solutions to environmental challenges, sharing learning on best practice in greening their campuses and helping lead and promote sustainability.

The programme included workshops, talks and tours to explore collaborative solutions to environmental challenges and afforded universities the opportunity to talk about their own efforts in greening their campuses and helping lead and promote sustainability.

“The Letter of Intent for Collaboration expands the fruitful relationship between GW and Queen’s, which has been so beneficial for students and faculty alike,” said John Lach, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs of the George Washington University.

“This partnership is proof of the value of international collaborations in bolstering a robust academic and research enterprise.”

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