THE University of Worcester has strengthened a successful partnership with a US university partner, as part of the plan to give students a global education.

A seven-year partnership between the city university and the University of Minnesota Duluth has so far involved more than 100 students and staff in the educational exchange. Minnesota students spent up a year at Worcester, while city students studied for a semester in the USA.

Now following discussions between staff at both universities, new ways are being found for the two universities to work together, using advances in digital technology to communicate between students.

University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green, said: “We have had a very happy and productive partnership with the University of Minnesota Duluth for several years involving many areas of the University’s research and education.

"We are delighted that we are now exploring the prospect of co-operating in a systematic way using modern digital technology.

"We are fully committed to systematically working to improve educational contact, content and connections. Society, business and education are becoming ever more global. The ability to work across continents and cultures is ever more needed.

"The employment record of Worcester graduates is already in the top 10 in the UK. This development will help prepare our future graduates with the skills and international cultural know-how which are ever more important.”

Dr Mongan-Rallis, from the University of Minnesota Duluth, added: “With developments in the internet, students will be working with people online all over the world.

“Students cannot always afford to travel. This way they have the opportunity to collaborate. This will not replicate being at another university physically, but it will give that all important opportunity to talk about different cultural perspectives on the issues of the day.”