By Sean Ryan - 15 August, 2016
A new formal partnership was announced recently between Britain’s and France’s largest catholic universities.
St Mary’s University, Twickenham in London announced recently that it has entered into a formal partnership with the Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at the University’s graduation ceremonies, which set out areas of co-operation.
These areas of increased co-operation include the exchange of students and staff, the awarding of joint degrees, ICP ecclesiastical degrees, joint summer schools, research collaboration, including the recently opened Benedict XVI Centre, and joint work in the field of Catholic Education.
A delegation from the ICP, led by the Recteur, Monsignor Philippe Bordeyne, visited St Mary’s in May and also attended St Mary’s graduation ceremonies last month.
The partnership marks the culmination of a series of meetings which began in September 2015 with a visit to the ICP’s campus by St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor, Francis Campbell, Professor of Theology, Monsignor Rod Strange and Dr Maureen Glackin, Head of School of Education and Theology.
Speaking this week, the Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s Francis Campbell said, “This dynamic new partnership is an important development in Catholic education in the French and UK capitals. It underlines St Mary’s ongoing commitment to our Catholic ethos and our plans to diversify and grow our student body.”
He added, “At the same time, it is a continuation of St Mary’s historic origins, which rest on the foundations laid down by six young French brothers in 1850.”
“I am proud that St Mary’s is able to restate our determination to take an international outlook and look beyond our own borders. We will continue to develop even stronger ties with universities in Europe and around the world, enriching the opportunities for both UK and overseas students.”
