“International outreach is incredibly important to us as we aim to address issues of global significance through these strong relationships. “Leading research universities can make an enormous difference to society and the economy, and with our joint research, we hope to produce paradigm-shifting ideas and innovative technologies that empower people with the knowledge and ability to make the world a better place.”
President and Principal of King’s College London, Professor Ed Byrne
24 October 2018
New partnership pledges to address global sustainable urban cities challenge
Many of the world’s greatest cities, including London and Paris, face significant challenges around the sustainability of their public health and security systems, and changes to their populations subsequent to political, societal and economic developments.
King’s College London and the Université de Paris have signed a Letter of Intent to combine the strengths of both universities and work together in addressing these global issues through establishing joint academic appointments, facilitating staff and student exchange opportunities, and building upon joint academic research projects across health, law, social sciences and the humanities, and which contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The President and Principal of King’s, Professor Ed Byrne, the Head of the Université de Paris project, Christine Clerici, and a delegation of academics and policy-makers from both institutions, met in Paris this week to sign the Letter of Intent, with the support of Matthew Lodge, the Minister at the British Embassy in Paris and Ambassador of Britain at UNESCO.
Professor Ed Byrne spoke at the signing event on Tuesday (23 October), commenting:
In early 2019, the Université de Paris is launching as a new institution following a merger of Paris Diderot, Paris Descartes and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, all of which have long-standing relationships with King’s through Erasmus agreements, joint degree programmes and co-authored research publications.
Following the merger, the Université de Paris is expected to become the largest health university in France, educating pharmacists, dentists and nurses, and a vast number of other health professions.
This Letter of Intent adds to King’s growing portfolio of deep and meaningful partnerships with European institutions, contributing to serving society and making positive change in Europe, and across the world.
Christine Clerici, President of Paris Diderot university and Head of the Université de Paris project, said:
“A new international partnership is always an exciting adventure. Building on many similarities between our institutions, this partnership looks firmly toward the future. In our time of changes, it is particularly important to reassert the need for international cooperation based on mutual trust and common scientific interest. “With this partnership, we hope to be able to strengthen the numerous ties already existing between Paris and London, in ways that are mutually beneficial for our students, our researchers, our faculty members and our staff.”
President of Paris Diderot university and Head of the Université de Paris project, Christine Clerici