Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, extended a warm welcome on Friday to an influential delegation of university leaders from some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the United States.
The visiting Presidents from the Massachusetts Universities Presidents Association represented Worcester State University, Westfield State University, Salem State University, and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
The delegation’s visit marked a significant milestone in fostering stronger international academic and research ties.
During their time in the city, the US university leaders engaged in high-level discussions with the Northwest Tertiary Education Cluster.
Together, they explored concrete opportunities for collaboration across a range of areas including Life and Health Sciences, Further and Higher Education, and cross-Atlantic academic and industry partnerships.
These productive conversations laid the groundwork for future student and staff exchanges, joint research initiatives, and innovation-led partnerships between institutions in the North West and Massachusetts.
The delegation also received insights into the transformative potential of the City Deal investment programme, which is set to drive innovation and economic regeneration in the region.
Reflecting on the visit, Mayor McHugh said: “It was an honour to host this distinguished delegation from some of Massachusetts’ most respected universities.
“This visit highlights the international recognition our region is receiving for its strengths in education, research and innovation.
“Building these connections is key to unlocking new opportunities for our students, our institutions, and our economy. I am confident this is just the beginning of a dynamic partnership that will lead to real impact on both sides of the Atlantic.”
The delegation also enjoyed a rich cultural experience, including a guided tour of the historic Guildhall and City Walls, and a visit to the expanding Ulster University Campus – another sign of the region’s ongoing investment in world-class education infrastructure.
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