Matariki Network of Universities

The Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) is an international group of universities created in 2010, which focuses on strong links between research and undergraduate teaching.^[1] It claims that each member is leading international best practice in research and education based on long academic traditions.^[2] The MNU has been established to enable the universities to enhance diversity, to share ideas and expertise, and to learn international best practice from each other, recognising the shared commitment to an ethos of excellence in research, scholarship and rounded education.^[3]

Name and research activities

“Matariki” is the Māori name for the group of stars known as the Pleiades star cluster, and also known as the Seven Sisters. It reflects seven founding member universities in the MNU.^[4]

Potential activities for the newly formed network include^[5]:

• enhanced student exchange
• joint postgraduate programmes
• social responsibility projects
• research collaboration
• conferences and workshops on topics of mutual interest
• visiting fellowships
• faculty and staff exchange and secondments
• benchmarking and sharing of best practice
• cultural and sporting activities

Universities

As of September 2010 the founding members of the Matariki Network of Universities are^[6]:

Members	Country	Year Established[5]	World Rank by THE-WUR, 2011[7]	World Rank by ARWU, 2011[8]	World Rank by QS, 2011[9]
Dartmouth College	USA	1769	90th	151–200th	99th
Durham University	UK	1832	83rd	201–300th	95th
Queen’s University	Canada	1841	173rd	201–300th	144th
University of Otago	New Zealand	1869	201–225th	201–300th	130th
University of Tübingen	Germany	1477	187th	102–150th	152nd
University of Western Australia	Australia	1911	189th	102–150th	73rd
Uppsala University	Sweden	1477	87th	67th	83rd

Universities of the MNU

Dartmouth College: view from the Baker Library   Durham University: University College   Queen's University: Ontario Hall   University of Otago: Registry Building   University of Tübingen: the Neue Aula   University of Western Australia: Winthrop Hall   Uppsala University: Botanic Gardens

References

1. ^ "The International Office". Durham University. http://www.dur.ac.uk/dialogue/may10/spotlight/io/. Retrieved 28 Jun 2010. 
2. ^ "Minutes of the University Executive Committee". Durham University. 23 Mar 2010. http://www.dur.ac.uk/committees/Executive-Committee/2010-03-30m.pdf. Retrieved 28 Jun 2010. 
3. ^ "Welcome to the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU)". MNU. http://www.matarikinetwork.com/. Retrieved 28 Jun 2010. 
4. ^ "The Name". The Matariki Network of Universities. http://www.matarikinetwork.com/name.html. Retrieved 28 Jun 2010. 
5. ^ ^{a b} "Queen's joins new international network". Queen's University. 17 May 2010. http://www.queensu.ca/news/articles/queen-s-joins-new-international-network. Retrieved 28 Jun 2010. 
6. ^ "Members of the Matariki Network of Universities". The Matariki Network of Universities. http://www.matarikinetwork.com/members.html. Retrieved 28 Jun 2010. 
7. ^ "The World University Rankings 2011–2012". Times Higher Education. 2011. http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/top-400.html. Retrieved 6 October 2010. 
8. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities – 2011". ShanghaiRanking Consultancy. 2011. http://www.shanghairanking.com/ARWU2011.html. Retrieved 17 August 2011. 
9. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2011/12". QS World University Rankings. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. 2011. http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2011?page=3. Retrieved 7 September 2011. 

External links

• Official website