Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Europe) Professor Cecilia Hewlett were joined by University of Warwick Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Stuart Croft, to launch the Alliance Associates initiative.
The Monash Warwick Alliance has achieved remarkable results since 2018, securing over $36 million in external funding for collaborative projects between the two leading universities.
This funding has enabled the Alliance to tackle pressing global issues, such as developing an AMR Training Programme to combat emerging superbug threats, and the successful Action Translate project, which engaged hundreds of student volunteers worldwide to address climate change.
A key component of the Alliance's new strategic direction, the new Alliance Associates initiative underscores the partnership's commitment to fostering a vibrant and collaborative community dedicated to addressing global challenges.
It is expected to give researchers, staff and PhD students a chance to significantly increase their impact, elevate their global status, and contribute to shaping the future of research and education for both institutions. By formally recognising these individuals, the Alliance aims to inspire future collaborations and highlight the power of transnational partnerships.
The Monash Warwick Alliance actively supports international research initiatives, including leveraging the Monash University European Research Foundation (MUERF) to furnish our academics with the necessary support and funding for their endeavours.
Alliance Co-Academic Director Professor Cecilia Hewlett heralded the initiative as an important milestone for the Monash Warwick Alliance.
"The Associates initiative will foster a global network of academic leaders," said Professor Hewlett. "The new Alliance Associate community can amplify our collective impact, elevate our institutions on the world stage, and create opportunities for groundbreaking research and education. It will deepen our strategic partnership with the University of Warwick as we continue to build the strength of our academic programs as the Alliance community continues to grow."
A corresponding event was also held at the University of Warwick to bring together Associates at Warwick. Both events celebrated the significant achievements made by the Alliance since its establishment in 2012, and the strong bond between the two universities. The new strategic direction will deepen the Alliance's impact on research, education, and global engagement, which will be underpinned by new funding mechanisms and enhanced collaboration opportunities through the Alliance Associates initiative.
Professor Michael Scott, University of Warwick Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) said, "The Monash Warwick Alliance has been a beacon of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation for over twelve years, empowering our communities to make significant strides in education, research, and global leadership. Our new strategy and the launch of our Associate initiative marks the next chapter in our partnership, further strengthening our collective efforts to tackle the world's most pressing challenges and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that thrives on collaboration to make lasting impact."
