The Vice Chancellors of Bond University and the University of Buckingham, Britain’s leading independent University, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Bond's Gold Coast campus, outlining plans to exchange students and work towards research collaborations and the development of a joint international degree.
Bond University Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Tim Brailsford, said the students of both universities would initially have the opportunity to study at each others’ campuses.
He hoped research collaborations and staff exchanges would follow and said both institutions would work towards developing a joint international degree to be offered from late 2020.
“Our two institutions share a very common mission,” Professor Brailsford said.
“Today represents the cementing of the bridge and our students have now got a pathway to cross that bridge.
“Despite the crazy world of geopolitics, education is still an absolute pillar of society.”
University of Buckingham Vice Chancellor, Sir Anthony Seldon, said the collaboration was partly shaped by Brexit.
“In every way, Britain is having to reach out and find new partnerships and new relationships,” Sir Anthony said.
“We can't spend all our lives regretting that and we have to move out (of the EU).
“But even without Brexit, this (collaboration with Bond) would have happened.
“It's a sensible thing between two proud independent universities -- both at the top of their countries for teaching and student experience -- to find a way to give students a novel experience.”
The University of Buckingham was opened 43 years ago by Margaret Thatcher as Britain’s first independent university.
Bond University was Australia’s first independent university and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
While on campus, Sir Anthony also enjoyed a campus tour, delivered some fascinating insight into Theresa May and Brexit at a public lecture and had the opportunity to meet and talk to staff and students on a broad range of topics.