Lakeland, UK school sign global exchange partnership
Lakeland University and Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, a country in the United Kingdom, have signed a partnership agreement creating a wide range of study abroad opportunities for students at both schools.
The agreement allows students from both institutions to participate in exchange programs and learn from leading faculty and experts in the field, gaining cutting-edge innovations and practices in another country, expanding their knowledge and skillsets and positioning them to bring back fresh visions and experiences to their home institutions.
The agreement originated through the efforts of Dr. Leili Afsah-Hejri, assistant professor of chemistry and food safety & quality and program champion of food safety and quality at Lakeland. She has leveraged her national and international connections to expand Lakeland’s partnerships and collaboration with the food industry and other institutions.
Afsah-Hejri and Dr. Anita Setarehnejad, who serves as the program director of food science and technology at Cardiff Met, created this exchange program. Cardiff Met offers a food science and nutrition - BSc (Hons) degree program, a natural partner for Lakeland’s FSQ degree program.
As the schools neared completion of the partnership, both institutions expressed interest in making the agreement institution-wide to include any major.
“This collaboration represents a monumental step forward for our food safety and quality program and beyond,” Afsah-Hejri said. “By expanding this partnership to an institution-wide collaboration which creates opportunities across multiple majors, we’ve created an exciting chapter in fostering global education and cross-cultural exchange.”
“We look forward to seeing how this partnership will enrich our programs and create opportunities for students that truly make a difference.”
Representatives from Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dr. Dan Heggs, associate dean partnerships (CSSHS), and Rowena Kidger, global opportunities manager, said, "We are thrilled about the signing of a university-wide agreement between Cardiff Met and Lakeland University. This partnership will offer fantastic opportunities for our students to broaden their horizons, uncover new strengths and abilities, preparing them for their future careers."
Initially, the centerpiece of the agreement is the respective food programs for each school. Afsah-Hejri said Cardiff’s program has a strong focus on baking & confectionery technologies and innovations, while Lakeland’s program focuses on food safety and quality with strong industry partnership with the dairy and meat sectors.
“This collaboration is a perfect match and both institutions benefit from each other’s strengths,” she said. “Cardiff’s students can gain American experience and explore our food industry, while our students are excited about European experiences.”
Afsah-Hejri hopes to expand the partnership with Cardiff Met to include graduate-level programs, and she is working with fellow faculty in other countries to explore similar partnerships.
