Come July, NYU Sydney will welcome its first cohort of study away students to its new home at the University of Sydney (USYD), one of Australia’s leading universities. NYU and USYD recently signed a new partnership agreement, which will give students from both universities the opportunity to share courses, live together, and participate in a reciprocal exchange program.

“We’re excited to join the academic community at the University of Sydney and work together to explore future opportunities for collaboration,” says Megan Carrigy, NYU Sydney associate director for academic programs. “The suspension of our site during COVID-19 created space to review our program and reflect on where we might take it in the future. This new partnership, and our move to the University of Sydney campus, offers us an unprecedented opportunity to deepen our connections with the local academic community.”

Coming Together for a Historic Partnership

When NYU made the decision to relocate its campus in The Rocks precinct of Sydney, they sought opportunity. By partnering with an Australian university, NYU students could engage with Australia’s vibrant university culture while “also retaining the programming, curriculum, and community that has made the NYU Sydney program so successful to date,” explains Carrigy. USYD, with more than 400 areas of study and a reputation as one of the world’s top-rated universities, seemed like an ideal partner.

During a virtual ceremony, the USYD vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Mark Scott; NYU’s president, Professor Andrew Hamilton; and NYU’s vice-chancellor and senior vice provost for global programs and university life, Professor Linda Mills, signed an agreement to finalize the partnership. “This new partnership between two of the world’s leading universities opens up a wealth of extraordinary opportunities for collaboration across teaching, research, and industry engagement,” said Professor Scott at the time. “As the world begins to open up after the COVID-19 crisis, we’re thrilled to be offering students an immersive international experience.”

A Distinctly Australian Experience

Now NYU Sydney students will have access to everything that USYD’s Camperdown/Darlington campus has to offer. Founded in 1850, the campus is USYD’s largest and oldest, known for its stunning old-world architecture and rich history. The Great Hall, inspired by London’s Westminster Abbey, is the centerpiece of the campus’ world-famous quadrangle. Over the years, it’s hosted hundreds of events, from graduation ceremonies to grand banquets. Other notable facilities include six libraries, four art galleries, and the new Chau Chak Wing Museum.

“One of the reasons I wanted to go to NYU in the first place was because of their outstanding study abroad programs. When I heard that Australia was allowing travelers again after the pandemic began, I immediately knew I had to take this opportunity,” explains Serena Lau, a Global Public Health/Nutrition and Dietetics major. “The University of Sydney campus location looks beautiful, and I’ll be within walking distance of the water. The culture and the people seem amazing, and I cannot wait to see everything in person—minus the spiders!”

New Opportunities for Education and Collaboration

As part of the agreement, NYU students can take selected USYD courses alongside local students, while USYD students can enroll in classes taught by NYU Sydney faculty members. Additionally, USYD students will have the opportunity to study at NYU’s campus in New York City or one of its additional global locations. “This innovative model aligns with the University of Sydney’s strategic goal to provide more international experiences for traditionally underrepresented student cohorts, such as low-socioeconomic-status, first-in-family, and Indigenous student populations,” adds Bonnington. Furthermore, all NYU Sydney students will enroll in a USYD Industry and Community Projects Unit, which offers them the singular opportunity to partner with leading corporate, government, and community organizations to craft innovative solutions to real-world problems.

In the years ahead, both students and faculty members will benefit from the partnership. USYD faculty will have the opportunity to come to New York City as visiting scholars while NYU faculty can conduct research at USYD. “Both NYU and the University of Sydney intend for this to be a starting point for a much greater level of collaboration between our institutions, including joint research, co-teaching, industry engagement, and much more,” explains Bonnington. “There’s a lot we can learn from each other, so this is really just the start of our collaborations. The sky’s the limit!”

Written by Dana Guterman