LJMU extends its ties across the globe with first Australian university

LJMU has extended its reach in the southern hemisphere after signing a new memorandum of understanding with its first Australian partner, Western Sydney University, who share a namesake having their own Liverpool City campus down under.

The delegation from Sydney travelled to Liverpool to see the LJMU campus springing into life at the start of the standard academic year, and to meet with representatives across academia and international relations.

LJMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power and the Executive Leadership Teamwelcomed their counterparts from Western Sydney University and signed the MoU which establishes a new collaborative relationship that sets into motion the potential for joint research projects, academic programmes and opportunities for both student and staff mobility.  

LJMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Power said: “It’s been an incredibly important time for us at LJMU as we’ve opened our doors to around 27,000 new and returning students, and what better time to extend the hand of friendship to representatives from Western Sydney University.

“By jointly singing the new MoU we’re putting into action a framework for a cooperative and productive relationship that will benefit not only both institutions in the academic arena but will also create new paths of exploration for our students and staff, on an international scale.”

Western Sydney University Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Clare Pollock said: “As the number one ranked University in the world for our achievements in sustainability, we have recognised the importance of working in partnership with like-minded institutions around the world. Our visit to Liverpool John Moores University confirmed the opportunities for productive collaboration across a number of areas.

“It was evident during our visit the shared commitment to excellence in student experience and close engagement with community.”

During the visit both institutions shared their observations on the important role that universities now play in professional learning across criminal justice in the UK and Australia.

Representatives from Merseyside Police, Police Now and HM Prison and Probation Service shared their insights into the joint-delivery of policing studies with LJMU’s School of Justice Studies. It is one of the fastest growing subject areas at the university and was recently put on the same academic footing as Biology, History or other popular university choices, both good for standards in policing and in service to the public.

A series of other discussions and business meetings also took place involving representatives from every faculty at the university. LJMU highlighted its world-leading research output, pioneering initiatives aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and excellence across Nursing, Education, Build Environment and the Arts. Time was also spent explaining LJMU’s partnerships across the Liverpool City Region that are supporting diverse communities to create a more positive future for all.