St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) and Ulster University, through its International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE) in Northern Ireland, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishing a framework to explore new academic, research and intercultural learning opportunities for students and faculty at both institutions.
The agreement opens the door to developing graduate education pathways for SMCM students interested in Ulster University’s MSc in Peace and Conflict Studies; undergraduate summer study opportunities in Northern Ireland; collaborative research, courses and study visits; and faculty, researcher and postdoctoral exchanges between the two institutions.
The MOU was signed Sept. 15 in Washington, D.C., by SMCM President Rhonda Phillips and Ulster University Provost, Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan. The agreement establishes guiding principles for collaboration between the institutions as they explore the development of specific programs and opportunities.
“This partnership reflects the kind of expansive educational opportunity we want to create for our students as the National Public Honors College,” said St. Mary’s College President Rhonda Phillips. “Working with Ulster University and INCORE has the potential to connect our students and faculty with new perspectives, scholarship and experiences while creating opportunities for meaningful international collaboration.”
One area the institutions will explore is a pathway for SMCM graduates to pursue advanced study in Ulster University’s MSc in Peace and Conflict Studies program at its Derry~Londonderry campus. The institutions will work to identify appropriate preparation and eligibility benchmarks for participating students.
The partnership also provides a framework for developing undergraduate summer study opportunities at Ulster University’s Belfast campus focused on areas including peacebuilding, reconciliation and conflict transformation. Potential programming could include experiences at the Derry~Londonderry campus and other locations in Northern Ireland and opportunities for students from both institutions to learn together.
Faculty and researchers at SMCM and Ulster University will also explore opportunities for collaborative research, joint courses and study visits, co-authored publications, external funding, faculty and staff exchanges and visiting scholar arrangements. The institutions will explore opportunities for Ulster University postdoctoral scholars and researchers to spend time at SMCM, working with faculty and students and potentially teaching during their residencies.
Ulster University Provost, Professor Cathy Gormely-Heenan, said: “Here at Ulster University we place an important focus on providing opportunities for our students and researchers to expand their horizons and develop global perspectives. This partnership with St. Mary’s College of Maryland enables both institutions to do just that and we very much look forward to welcoming students and scholars across the Atlantic here to our campuses, to learn and share collegiately.”
The MOU serves as a statement of the institutions’ mutual intention to collaborate in areas of shared academic interest. Specific programs, timelines and participation requirements will be determined as opportunities under the partnership are developed.
About Ulster University/INCORE
Ulster University is a forward-looking, multi-campus institution uniquely positioned to drive economic, social, and cultural development across Northern Ireland through its campuses in Belfast, Derry~Londonderry, and Coleraine. Comparable in civic scale and regional impact to a major North American public state university system, Ulster University hosts over 30,000 students from 70 countries annually. The institution was named the UK and Ireland University of the Year 2024 by Times Higher Education.
