Universities strengthen commitment to deeper cooperation for the South West

Plymouth and Exeter sign new memorandum of understanding
Lisa Roberts and Richard Davies signing memorandum of understanding

Universities strengthen commitment to deeper cooperation for the South West

Plymouth and Exeter sign new memorandum of understanding
The Vice-Chancellors of the Universities of Plymouth and Exeter have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) reflecting the institutions’ long history of collaboration and partnership.
Within the region’s education and economic ecosystems, both universities play a pivotal role in shaping skills, research and innovation opportunities across the South West and beyond.
And they are committed to working together to help overcome the major social, economic and environmental challenges we all face.

Our universities are different and distinctive, but we are bound together by geography, friendship, and our shared responsibilities to boost the fortunes of our region.

We bring complementary strengths to the table, such as Plymouth’s global reputation for all things marine and maritime, plus our growing focus on defence, but we also share expertise and ambitions in areas like health, sustainable food production, the creative industries, and clean energy.
By working together more closely for the benefit of our respective cities and the surrounding areas, we will raise the profile of the South West and ensure our region achieves its full potential."

Richard DaviesProfessor Richard Davies
Vice-Chancellor

In addition to collaborating on numerous research projects, the universities already work together in helping shape and deliver to the area’s education needs, as partners in the South West Institute of Technology, as well as jointly supporting the Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Education Alliance.
Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Exeter said:

I’m delighted that we’re extending our strong, collaborative relationship with the University of Plymouth. Partnerships, with other universities, business, government and civil society, lie at the heart of our 2030 Strategy and its ambition to contribute to a greener, healthier, fairer world.

Each of our universities has distinct capabilities – Exeter is renowned globally for our established strengths in defence, marine, environment and life sciences – and we also work together in many areas. 
This collaboration will help us to continue generating new and exciting opportunities that both benefit our region and also help meet some of the greatest challenges faced across the world, now and in the future."
Following the signing of the MoU in Exeter on Tuesday 21 April, the universities will now agree a Framework for Collaboration and establish a Joint Collaboration Board.
The board will meet once a year to oversee the development and delivery of an action plan, building on strong foundations to realise the further benefits of collaboration.