Massey signs agreements with Sri Lankan universities

Opportunities for student exchanges, joint research and teaching are among goals outlined in memorandums of understanding with two Sri Lankan universities.

Massey University has signed agreements with the University of Colombo and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU).

Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey, Nick Nelson from the Centre for Defence and Security Studies, Professor Tony Norris from the Institute of Information and Maths Sciences and National Centre for Teaching and Learning director Professor Mark Brown visited Sri Lanka last week.

The agreements outline common interests and the potential mutual benefits from collaboration and cooperation in areas including student exchanges, academic collaboration, postgraduate and doctoral study.
Mr Maharey says a large number of University of Colombo senior staff attended the signing and there was an opportunity to discuss where cooperation might lead. Areas discussed were: student exchanges, communication, joint research and teaching, and blended learning and sport.

The agreement with KDU centred on defence but the universities shared similar interests and strengths.

“While the focus of the relationship is currently on defence, security and disaster management, another wide ranging discussion revealed that land, water use, sustainability, humanities and logistics management were of interest to KDU,” Mr Maharey says.

Mr Maharey, Mr Nelson and Professor Norris also presented papers at an international symposium hosted by KDU.