ATU and Ulster University launch cross-border mobility scheme

Atlantic Technological University and Ulster University have launched an innovative, cross-border mobility initiative to drive student and staff exchanges between the two universities.

This mobility initiative was developed through the ATU – UU Strategic Partnership Steering Group to facilitate closer cross-border collaboration between ATU and UU.

The scheme is open to all staff, academic and professional, in both ATU and UU. Three broad areas of activity have been identified:

1. Exploratory staff visits to acquire a better understanding of ongoing activities and develop potential areas for future collaboration which might include seminars and small conferences;

2. Student mobility activities - field trips, shared use of facilities, collaborative projects.

3. Mobility for larger scale collaborative projects, e.g. research activity, engagement with external stakeholders; programme development and joint administration initiatives.

The initiative is consistent with the aims of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two universities on 22 January 2024. This MoU committed both parties to a comprehensive strategic collaboration and to furthering the objectives of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection, and mutual understanding to ensure continued peace and a sustainable future for everyone on this island.

Both partners are members of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC) a strategic alliance of the four publicly funded education institutions in the North West City Region – Atlantic Technological University, Ulster University, North West Regional College and Donegal Education and Training Board. NWTEC aims to further drive the transformation of the North West to become an internationally significant learning region.

READ NEXT: ‘Loneliness: The Role of Social Work’ resource launched to help tackle isolation

More information on the initiative will be accessible to staff and students of ATU and UU via the recently launched NWTEC website.