Skip to content

NTU represents the UK in the formation of a global network

Along with eight of the world’s leading applied higher education institutions, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was the only UK institution involved in establishing the Global Applied Education Network (GAEN).

GAEN signing of MoU
Barbara Matthews (second from left) with representatives from each founding member of GAEN

Instigated by the Higher Colleges of Technology in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), nine founding members of GAEN signed a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) to establish the pioneering global applied education network.

GAEN will support the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) economies by applying proven and global effective practices aimed at fostering knowledge partnerships, exchange of best practices and programmes to boost employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Barbara Matthews, NTU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Culture and Head of the College of Art, Architecture, Design and Humanities attended the network launch and signing ceremony during a gala dinner in Dubai.

She told us: “We’re really delighted to be a founding member of GAEN. It gives us a very welcome opportunity to extend our international relationships into the Middle East, and I’m quite sure it’s going to provide many opportunities for our students and our staff, ranging from exchanges, projects we do alongside each other, and more.

“Maybe we can benchmark across the membership and I’m quite sure that we’ll find opportunities to share best practice, and some research projects as well.”

Other founding members included NTU’s existing partners, Queensland University of Technology and Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. The network will align the strategic priorities of its founding members and those to come, through sharing of best practices and facilitating cooperation on applied research and academic matters on a global level.

The teaching, research and innovation capabilities of GAEN institutions will be strengthened through increased cooperation with leading universities and colleges worldwide, while links with businesses and industry will be expanded by offering partnerships in areas of applied research.

NTU hopes to utilise GAEN to establish further relationships in the Gulf and North Africa, both academic and commercial, and to provide student and staff opportunities to experience the region.

Published on 14 November 2018
  • Subject area: Art and design
  • Category: NTU Arts; Press office; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment; School of Art & Design; School of Arts and Humanities