The purpose of the MOU is “to develop inter-academic and educational cooperation in terms of equality and reciprocity to help promote agreements between the two parties in an atmosphere of cordiality and respect.”

“Today, we are delighted to forge a partnership between UMass Boston and Derry and Strabane Council, one that benefits both entities and strengthens ties between the City of Boston and the City of Derry,” said Chancellor Marcelo Suárez-Orozco. “Our respective missions join us in serving the citizens of our cities and cultivating social, cultural, economic, and intellectual ties between Boston and Derry.

“Over time, this could take many forms – developing research and practice collaborations around climate resilience or the ethical uses of artificial intelligence; faculty and student exchanges; activities that promote economic vitality; and opportunities that highlight conflict resolution in our two nations, with special attention to restorative justice in policing,” he said.

The agreement was signed by Chancellor Suárez-Orozco and Derry City and Strabane District Council Mayor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, who met earlier last month when a UMass Boston delegation traveled to Ireland to strengthen educational ties.

“My presence here today is not just symbolic; it is a clear statement of intent,” said Mayor Seenoi-Barr. “It's a reflection of our shared commitment to growing educational and research ties between our regions, and it is also about building a bridge of innovational opportunity and mutual respect. This memorandum of understanding marks an exciting new chapter. It is more than a document. It is a promise, a promise to work together.”

The agreement particularly focuses on:

• Promoting transnational research and other activities among City of Derry and Strabane official members, and citizens, and UMass Boston students and faculty, including non-faculty researchers and librarians and archivists;
• Collaborating in the area of climate resilience that affects the City of Boston and the City of Derry;
• Promoting joint efforts within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Derry and Strabane Council to develop ethical uses of artificial intelligence;
• Working together to continue to develop strong ties between Boston and Derry and Strabane to promote economic prosperity and collaboration.
• Creating opportunities for students of UMass Boston, and students within Derry and Strabane to participate in mutual exchange programs to promote mutual understanding.
• Promoting opportunities that highlight conflict resolution within Northern Ireland and the United States, with special attention given to restorative justice in policing.

“This agreement demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships between higher education and local government can be platforms for innovation in addressing the complex societal challenges of our time,” said Chancellor Suárez-Orozco. “They are, as well, an important way of connecting people across cultural and geographic boundaries.”

“For generations, Boston has been a city of welcome, which we have felt, and a keen partner in helping our region grow and thrive—economically, socially and educationally,” Mayor Seenoi-Barr said. “Through this memorandum of understanding, we open the door even wider for knowledge to flow, for young minds to explore, and for collaboration that can truly make a global impact.”