US Presidential visit to UK underlines cooperation in science, innovation and higher education

The joint statement agreed yesterday by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama, during the latter’s State Visit to Britain, will strengthen collaboration in science and higher education. Prime Minister Cameron and President Obama agree that science and higher education are the foundation stones of their two nations’ 21st century economies and that the UK and USA have a responsibility to further their global leadership roles in these essential fields.

The agreement will see the UK and the USA increasing the links between their higher education institutions, including through increased post-graduate student and researcher exchange programs. Both countries will also collaborate on a number of significant research projects, including a pharmaceutical partnership, and will embark together on an ambitious programme to create the world’s first combined space weather model.

UK Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said: “Our most productive science and higher education relationship is with the USA and we are determined to strengthen it further. As globalization gathers pace international cooperation in these areas has become even more important to boost Britain’s economic growth, and they are a key part of our overall relationship with the United States.”