University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith and Brown University President Ruth J Simmons

Brown and Exeter agree to closer ties

Brown University President Ruth J Simmons and University of Exeter Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith signed two memoranda of understanding, partnering for faculty exchanges under the Brown Global Forums initiative and further strengthening ties between the two universities.

Brown Global Forums fosters closer research ties between Brown and select partner institutions through a short-term faculty exchange programme.

The forums provided representatives from Brown and the University of Exeter with the chance to meet face-to-face with potential collaborators on their home campuses and to network with a wider range of academics, with the goal of fostering a meaningful and sustainable collaboration.

“Partnering with the University of Exeter on Brown Global Forums offers both institutions the opportunity to learn from one another through yearly faculty exchanges. We are delighted to continue to build upon our relationship with Exeter while also furthering our commitment to global engagement,” said Matthew Gutmann, Brown’s vice president for international affairs.

University of Exeter Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Armstrong said: "I am delighted to be in Providence with the Vice-Chancellor to sign these memoranda of understanding.  Exeter and Brown are developing a wide range of research links and our investment into travel grants for faculty will help expand the exchange of scholars, and ideas, in the years ahead."

Under the Brown Global Forums, one faculty member from Brown and University of Exeter will visit one another's campus for one week. The faculty members will each deliver a lecture at the host institution, and be involved in workshops, classroom visits and meetings with colleagues.

Under the second memorandum of understanding, the two institutions also agreed to continue to develop existing faculty exchanges and explore other future opportunities for collaboration.

Date: 9 May 2012