Colombian students will head to the University of Bath after it signed a deal with the Colombian government to fund PhD students.

The Bath initiative is the latest in a string of UK university projects designed to boost collaboration with South America ¨C a continent ¡°slightly neglected¡± by UK higher education,?according to a senior figure at Bath.

Colin Grant, pro vice-chancellor for internationalisation, said that Latin America is an important part of Bath¡¯s globalisation strategy. He?added that Bath is now developing a ¡°multilateral network¡± of partner?institutions around the world.

¡°We are partnering with universities that are the very best or very close to being the best in their respective regions,¡± he said. ¡°The twin principles are exchange of students and the mobility of academics.¡±

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One of the latest agreements, which was signed in late January, is for PhD students funded by the Colombian Department of Science, Technology and Innovation to study at Bath. Studentships will be available in engineering, social sciences and humanities, education and natural sciences.

Bath signed a?second memorandum of understanding?with UNAL, the National University of Colombia,?to foster collaboration between researchers at the two institutions.

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Bath has also set aside a ¡°significant¡± sum of money to fund a PhD mobility scheme that will allow students to visit its global partners for up to six months. Students from partner universities will also be able to work?at Bath. Just over 30 awards are available?as part of the scheme.

holly.else@tsleducation.com