UNE reaches collaboration agreement with University of Gothenburg in Sweden

The University of New England has extended its reach in the North Atlantic by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Gothenburg (GU) in Sweden.

UNE and GU seek collaboration aimed at creating sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities whose economies have traditionally been linked to marine industries, especially commercial fishing, farming and forestry. The institutions aim to foster sustainable, restorative, scientific and ecological ocean farming practices.

UNE and GU have agreed to conduct cooperative scientific and applied research in areas of mutual interest and to develop educational programs for students that support both universities’ projects.

Barry Costa-Pierce, Ph.D., executive director of UNE NORTH: Institute for North Atlantic Studies, has already served as a senior advisor to GU’s Swedish Mariculture Research Center (SWEMARC) assisting in program development and helping to develop a Nordic Master’s in the sustainable use and production of marine bioresources.

Carrie Byron, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Marine Programs, has given lectures at GU and is currently looking into partnering with GU faculty on research projects.

UNE NORTH and SWEMARC were recently joint sponsors of a international workshop on research advances in offshore aquaculture.

James Herbert, president of UNE, and Kristina Sundell, director of SWEMARC, signed the agreement during the opening day of the 2019 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland.

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