PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — President Ruth J. Simmons and Professor Sir Steve Smith, president of the University of Exeter, signed two memoranda of understanding on Monday, May 7, 2012, creating a partnership for faculty exchanges under the Brown Global Forums initiative and further strengthening ties between the two universities.

Brown Global Forums, an initiative of the Office of International Affairs, fosters closer research ties between Brown and select partner institutions through a short-term faculty exchange program. The forums provide faculty from Brown and the University of Exeter with the chance to meet face-to-face with potential collaborators on their home campuses and to network with a wider range of scholars, with the goal of fostering a meaningful and sustainable collaboration.

“Partnering with the University of Exeter on Brown Global Forums offers both institutions the opportunity to learn from one another through yearly faculty exchanges. We are delighted to continue to build upon our relationship with Exeter while also furthering our commitment to global engagement,” said Matthew Gutmann, Brown’s vice president for international affairs.

Under the Brown Global Forums, one faculty member from Brown and University of Exeter will visit one another's campus for one week. The faculty members will each deliver a lecture at the host institution, and be involved in workshops, classroom visits and meetings with colleagues.

Under the second memorandum of understanding, the two institutions also agreed to continue to develop existing faculty exchanges and explore other future opportunities for collaboration.