British Columbia’s three Interior universities continue collaborating to boost their research and innovation ecosystems after renewing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the three organizations.
The renewed MOU extends the Interior Universities Research Coalition (IURC) – a partnership between the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), Thompson Rivers University (TRU), and the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus (UBC Okanagan) – for a further five years.
“The Interior Universities Research Coalition facilitates partnerships among scholars at all three institutions as they work with community partners to identify solutions to pressing issues in our region and beyond,”said UNBC Vice-President of Research and Innovation Dr. Paula Wood-Adams. “The knowledge generated through these projects builds capacity for healthy, productive and thriving Interior communities.”
Since its creation in 2017, the IURC has attracted nearly $8 million for cross-institutional research projects and other collaborations at the three universities and has developed a multitude of new research opportunities in the B.C. Interior.
The funded research projects have addressed regional questions on topics such as disaster prevention, aging in rural communities, COVID-19, education and wildlife stewardship.
Over the next five years, the IURC will continue to support community-based research, develop greater research capacity and joint educational opportunities, and build on what has been learned and gained over the past five years.
The partnership has developed a foundation that fosters talent in the B.C. Interior and enhances student and faculty mobility while at the same time increasing academic opportunities and strengthening community connections.
This renewed MOU reflects a shared commitment to effective and mutually beneficial co-operation that enhances research and educational opportunities with positive benefits for communities served by the three partners.