On 13 May the University of Westminster signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the European Union of National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC).
This landmark agreement marks a new era of collaboration and opportunity for both institutions.
EUNIC is the European network of cultural organisations that facilitates relationships and knowledge sharing. They foster European cultural collaboration in more than 100 countries worldwide. EUNIC is a strategic partner of the European Union and advocates for the role of culture in international relations and European cultural policy.
This agreement underscores the University of Westminster’s dedication to nurturing global connections and enhancing the educational and cultural experiences of its students and staff. Through this collaboration, both the University and EUNIC are poised to make significant contributions to cultural and academic discourse on a continental scale.
This new relationship will offer new avenues for students to engage in work placements, internships and other collaborative ventures. Through this partnership, the University of Westminster seeks to enhance student employability and facilitate research and knowledge exchange with the College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries, as well as other colleges within the University.
Members of EUNIC attended the ceremony from a number of country embassies, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Portugal, Croatia, Czech, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, the Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. Associate Members attended from the embassies of Norway and Switzerland, Yunus Emre Institute London, Scotland House London, Institut Ramon Llull, Ukrainian Institute London, Faroe Islands Representation in London and the Hellenic Centre London.
Professor Anastasios Maragiannis, Associate Head of the College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries, led the partnership agreement. He said: “Under this agreement, the 33 member institutes of EUNIC will engage closely with the University of Westminster’s College of Design, Creative and Digital Industries. This partnership is set to offer students invaluable opportunities for placements and internships, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and experiences across the world. Cultural ambassadors from EUNIC and their respective cultural institutes will also actively collaborate with our University staff. These initiatives will include research projects, knowledge exchange activities, and continent-spanning collaborations, bridging European and UK cultural and academic landscapes.”
Professor Peter Bonfield, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Westminster, and Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement and Employability, gave a welcome talk at the event. They said: “This Memorandum of Understanding signifies a major step forward in our commitment to providing our students with unparalleled opportunities to engage with leading cultural institutions across Europe. We are excited about the potential this collaboration holds for advancing research and fostering cultural exchange.”
EUNIC Secretary and Director Anastasia Mina and Bart Brosius, the General Representative at the General Representation of the Government of Flanders (Embassy of Belgium) to the UK, added: “The partnership with the University of Westminster aligns perfectly with our mission to promote cultural dialogue and collaboration across Europe. We look forward to the innovative projects and fruitful exchanges that this MoU will facilitate.”
The partnership between the University of Westminster and EUNIC directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education and 17: Partnerships for Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the University of Westminster’s Global Engagement strategies.
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