The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard B Davies, is visiting Spain to sign institutional agreements with the Universities of Pompeu Fabra and Barcelona, both in the Catalan capital, and with the University of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.

The Spanish links follow other recent agreements between Swansea and universities in Texas and Grenoble which are already leading to research collaboration in areas such as nanohealth.

‌Links with Pompueu Fabra – Spain’s top university - have already led to expert conferences in Swansea and Barcelona focused on Catalan and Welsh nationalism.

Picture: Professor Richard B Davies (left) signing the agreement with Prof Josep Ferrer of Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

Professor Richard Davies, Swansea University Vice Chancellor, said:

“We are signing agreements with these three high quality universities as part of our internationalisation strategy. 

As in Texas, so on the mainland of Europe, we are seeking to deepen relationships which already exist with excellent universities.

The purpose of these institution to institution agreements is very clear: they enhance the student experience by offering our students the opportunity to study abroad on the European continent.

Modern languages students are familiar with such arrangements, but the significant increase in teaching through the medium of English makes this an achievable goal for students from other disciplines.

In taking advantage of these opportunities, students get the chance to experience different cultures while also enhancing their employability. These partnerships also offer academic staff opportunities to collaborate with the best minds on the continent and further enhance the research standing of our University. I am delighted to formalise the start of a new phase in our relationship with these institutions”.


Professor Mike Sullivan, Swansea University Vice-President (Strategic Partnerships), said:

“These agreements show the University’s growing links with other universities across Europe and globally.

Our mission will, we hope, pave the way for closer co-operation, for example through collaborative research and teaching programmes, and working together on new funding opportunities, especially at the European level”.

Picture:  Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona