Focus: Magnifying impact through partnerships
The University of Waterloo’s relationship with the University of Strathclyde (in the United Kingdom) is an example of how whole-of-university engagement between two committed institutions can lead to impact in multiple ways. Built first on the universities’ shared scholarship strengths, the partnership has since evolved, cutting across talent, research, and community domains of each university’s strategic priorities.
In October 2021 the universities announced the newly formed Strathclyde and Waterloo Joint Transatlantic Funding Call to catalyze collaborative work between members and advance the two universities’ strategic plans through research, learning, service, or other priority areas. Thirty-five applications involving more than 100 colleagues from the two universities were received. Five awards were made addressing artificial intelligence, biosensors, penal environments, public health, and sustainable energy. Some of the unfunded applicants have continued their collaborations. Staff from each universities’ libraries, for instance, have continued to share perspectives on how open access publishing is evolving within each of their communities.
Work is continuing to sustain this momentum – student exchanges are scheduled, efforts to engage business and civil society in collaborative research are planned, and the two universities’ vice-chancellors are facilitating leadership dialogues on the role of universities in society. With dedication and purpose, universities working together internationally can magnify their impact.
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