MOU signing signals start of scholarly collaboration between UCW and University of Law
An international partnership and memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Vancouver’s University Canada West (UCW) and England’s University of Law paves the way for the private universities to capitalize on each other’s strengths.
Their new collaborative relationship was inked on June 15 after Professor the Right Honourable Lord David Blunkett delivered a speech on Brexit in UCW’s reception area. The high-profile British politician and academic served in several cabinet positions in former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government. Lord Blunkett is now Chair at The University of Law.
He told a packed room that he feared an impending referendum to decide Brexit—whether Britain should leave or stay in the European Union—would lead to worldwide geopolitical chaos if voters support Britain’s departure.
In a lively question and answer session after his speech, Blunkett addressed queries about the value of a referendum and whether his views signaled Canada should have a say in the United States’ presidential election.
Blunkett and Arthur Coren, UCW’s president and vice-chancellor, then formalized their institutions’ new collaborative relationship by signing an MOU.
It says that UCW and The University of Law “being contemporary and innovative institutions that offer undergraduate and graduate business studies, and wishing to promote co-operation between the two institutions, agree to explore: collaboration on academic programs; development of joint research activities; facilitation of university staff exchanges; exchange of the results of teaching and research collaboration and other mutually beneficial activities.”
Brad O’Hara, UCW’s vice president academics and students, says: “This partnership has great potential to provide current and future students with life-changing opportunities. It also offers our respective faculties unique opportunities to grow professionally. This kind of collaboration is consistent with the belief that institutions have a responsibility to ensure that their graduates leave with a global mindset.”
Following the MOU signing, Coren presented Blunkett with a bottle of Canada’s trademark maple syrup from Quebec and a Hudson Bay blanket. Before heading off to a scheduled media interview, a smiling Blunkett quipped that he would enjoy the blanket in particular during Vancouver’s current wet spell.
The University of Law and UCW are part of the Global University Systems (GUS) international network of higher-education institutions headquartered in the Netherlands. With institutions and affiliates across the UK, Canada, Germany and Singapore the group educates more than 50,000 students from 160 different nationalities.
UCW delivers programs that provide students with the applied and theoretical basis for success in the workplace and future academic endeavours. Established in 2004, UCW offers quality education with courses that transfer broadly into the public education system. Courses are offered at UCW’s downtown Vancouver campus and online. For more information visit www.ucanwest.ca.
June 16, 2016
UCW News Team
News Release
Carol Thorbes, Communications/Media Relations
