University of Illinois System
On 23 June 2023, Cardiff University signed a new Strategic Partnership Agreement with the University of Illinois System (UI).
The agreement will underpin an evolving programme of work and student exchange between Cardiff University and University of Illinois System - one of the premier institutions in the US.
Our two institutions have developed close ties through the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), UI’s interdisciplinary private-public research institute and hub of the Illinois Innovation Network in the heart of the City of Chicago. Cardiff joined DPI in 2018 as its first International Partner.
The strategic partnership aims to strengthen joint research in key areas: energy systems and Net Zero emissions, cybersecurity, data science and artificial intelligence, cancer research, geo-sciences, entrepreneurship and innovation, water and prairie research, and journalism.
Speaking on the new partnership, Professor Colin Riordan, Ex Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University at the time of signing, said: “The partnership underpins our world-leading ambitions, tackling issues of global importance captured in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
"The collaboration offers fantastic opportunities to bid for international collaborative funding through UK Research and Innovation’s partnership with the National Science Foundation, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s work with the US Department of Defense.”
Professor Rudolf Allemann, Pro Vice-Chancellor, International and Student Recruitment and Head of Cardiff’s College of Physical Sciences and Engineering, added: “Partnering with UI creates great opportunities for all students and researchers to participate in impactful international experiences.
"It supports our commitment to ‘global opportunities’ for our students, enabling them to study in an international setting or gain international experience during their studies. Working with UI will allow us to expand the reach of our research, particularly through our Innovation Campus."
University of Illinois
UI consistently features in the league tables of the world's top universities. Its Urbana Champaign campus reached rank 85 in QS 2023 and ranked 48 in Times Higher Education 2023 at the time of signing.
The University of Illinois hosts 94,000 students across three campuses: Chicago, Springfield and Urbana Champaign. Providing the state’s largest system of higher education, UI has its own hospital, clinics, airport, research facilities and extension offices.
Signing the partnership, UI President, Professor Tim Killeen, who originally hails from Cardiff, said: “I’m delighted to sign this agreement in my home city. Growing up in Roath, education played a vital role in creating life-changing opportunities. Our partnership with Cardiff aims to generate similar career-defining chances that can transform lives. It will allow students, researchers and staff from both our institutions to collaborate closely across areas of joint expertise: from engineering and physical sciences to healthcare, journalism and environmental science.”
University of Illinois System Collaboration Funds
Through the strategic partnership, two types of funds have been established to support the development of the Strategic Partnership between Cardiff University and the University of Illinois System, across common areas of research, teaching and education.
There are two available funds that staff may apply for through the University of Illinois’ online application systems:
- Joint Research and Innovation Seed Grant
- Travel Grant
Further information about how to apply can be found on the staff intranet.
Get in touch
For inquiries relating to the strategic partnership with the University of Illinois, please contact:
Head of International Partnerships
Anne Morgan