The board of the Matariki Network of Universities, which included Principal Daniel Woolf (right), met recently at the University of Western Australia.

A recent meeting of the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) attended by Principal Daniel Woolf and Vice-Provost (International) John Dixon focused on harnessing the universities’ combined expertise to tackle global issues.

Senior leaders of the seven member institutions gathered at the University of Western Australia in Perth for their second meeting since the network was established last year. They discussed exchange programs for students, faculty and staff, research networks, visiting fellowships, joint postgraduate programs and collaboration on major international projects. They also talked about social responsibility projects, cultural and sporting activities.

“The Matariki Network is already off to a great start, with its first research summit having been held this past November at Queen’s. During this meeting of executive heads of the seven member institutions we were able to map out an agenda for the next 18 months and strengthen our ties with individual institutions,” notes Principal Woolf. “All the members are strongly committed to promoting research and teaching with a focus on bettering the world and I’m very pleased to have Queen’s in this strong company.”

Also during the MNU meetings, Principal Woolf signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding with Durham University Vice-Chancellor Chris Higgins.

Principal Woolf succeeded David Skegg, Vice-Chancellor of Otago University, as chair of the network. The next meeting will be held at Dartmouth College in the United States in late 2012.

Queen’s, one of the founding members of the network, hosted the first official MNU workshop last November. International experts in the fields of renewable energy and energy and environmental policy travelled to Kingston for the workshop, which will serve as an example for future conferences.

The seven partner universities are research-intensive institutions that pride themselves on the quality of the experience for their students and their commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

Matariki Network of Universities.