UEL to collaborate with US university

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Published

08 May 2024

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The University of East London (UEL) and the University of South Florida (USF) are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see the two institutions collaborate across a range of key academic areas. This new initiative will foster innovation, enhance student opportunities, and drive impactful research.

After two years of working together, USF’s Kiki Caruson, Vice President of USF World and UEL’s Professor Paul Marshall, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Careers and Enterprise will formalise a partnership agreement where the two institutions will pledge to work together on an ambitious plan of joint institutional activity.

Four University of South Florida students sitting on a wall

The two universities share a strong commitment to the economic vitality of their local regions. A key strategic goal of the University of South Florida is to serve as an engine for social and economic growth through partnerships at home and abroad. “Our partnership with UEL gives us the opportunity to work with a like-minded institution to bring new opportunities to our students and faculty in key areas where both universities have invested resources: FinTech and Sustainability. Together we can do great things.” Kiki Caruson, Vice President, USF World.

Pro-Vice Chancellor Marshall said, 

This comprehensive partnership marks a significant step forward for both UEL and USF. By combining our expertise and resources, the Universities are poised to deliver exceptional educational experiences, conduct ground-breaking research, and cultivate a vibrant international academic community.”

Building a bridge across the Atlantic for students

University of South Florida Campus

The partnership focuses on four key areas:

  • FinTech: UEL and USF will co-develop innovative FinTech curricula, with plans for shared teaching modules and a jointly developed Introduction to FinTech micro-credential. This will be available on USF's existing platform, further expanding student access to cutting-edge financial technology education.  A joint research symposium on FinTech is also planned for late 2024. 

    Dr Iwa Salami, the Director of UEL’s Centre of FinTech said, “We are excited by the opportunities to be leveraged by UEL and USF partnering through the provision of shared programmes, courses and collaboration in research around FinTech. We believe this partnership will create a rich global experience for FinTech students and researchers at both universities and we look forward to other forms of collaboration that will result from this partnership.”
  • Sustainability:  UEL's Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) and USF's Patel College of Global Sustainability will collaborate on a symposium planned for Autumn 2024, aligning with UEL's Year of Science focus. This partnership will support the development of a virtual exchange programme, focusing on social sustainability, resource use and waste management, the future of food, and food forest development. 

    Robert de Jong, Director of UEL’s Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability (RDCS) said, “The partnership with USF and the RDCS/UEL provides an invaluable knowledge-sharing bridge across the Atlantic. Through this partnership, we are actively building global capacity, impact and knowledge, for a transition to a more sustainable future.”
  • Business and Psychology: academics from USF’s Muma College of Business and UEL will collaborate on the development and delivery of a Mental Wealth programme, providing students with soft skills, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence and resilience, alongside practical skills, such as digital proficiency and industry connections to prepare them for the workforce of the future. 

    Dr Sophia Bokhari, the interim Dean of UEL’s Department of Psychological Sciences said, “The School of Psychology is eager to build stronger, more meaningful transatlantic relations through our collaboration with USF. The chance to combine our lectures and curriculum, in some cases co-teaching, is exciting and innovative. We believe we can achieve something truly special together. We aim to share knowledge, exchange best practices, partner on research-informed content and introduce groups of students to each other from very different walks of life.”

Looking Ahead

Professor Paul Marshall, UEL’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Careers & Enterprise said, “This comprehensive partnership marks a significant step forward for both UEL and USF. By combining our expertise and resources, the Universities are poised to deliver exceptional educational experiences, conduct ground-breaking research, and cultivate a vibrant international academic community.”

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