Monday, June 27, 2016

University of North Carolina Wilmington officials have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a collaboration between UNCW and L’Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO) in Brest, France.

The MOU formalizes the partnership between the European Institute of Marine Science at UBO and UNCW’s marine science programs and expands the institutions’ existing collaborations, said Aswani Volety, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The universities will partner on research in the areas of ocean and coastal science, economics and policy.

“Both institutions have tremendous expertise in various disciplines of marine science and the collaboration brings faculty expertise in multiple complimentary areas to address scientific questions on a regional and global scale,” Volety said.

The partnership will also provide grant investigators funding opportunities within the European Union and in the U.S.; will engage in student, staff and faculty exchange; and provide not only professional development opportunities to individuals involved, but also bring expertise that is currently not available in respective institutions to address scientific questions.

While this MOU is related to the marine science program at UNCW, the intent is to expand to other areas where there may be mutual benefit such as human and social sciences, arts and humanities, business, health sciences and education, Volety added.

Volety has been working with UBO in various capacities for almost 20 years, including working with UBO faculty to receive a prestigious Marie-Curie International Outgoing Fellowship and collaborating on a grant to examine the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The memorandum of understanding is in line with UNCW Chancellor Jose Sartarelli’s vision of greater international collaborations, said Provost Marilyn Sheerer. “This partnership builds upon our reputation as a top-notch marine science and coastal university.” 

--Venita Jenkins

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