Keele joins new worldwide canal-city university network to tackle global challenges

Keele University has joined a new international network bringing together universities based in some of the world’s most historically and economically important canal regions.

The Canal-city University Cooperation Mechanism was launched at a symposium in Yangzhou, China, and brings together 23 universities from 10 countries. The alliance spans institutions located along China’s Grand Canal, the Suez Canal in Egypt, waterways in Portugal’s Aveiro region, and canal networks in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

Globally, more than 520 canals across over 50 countries link around 3,000 cities, forming long-established routes of trade, culture and cooperation. The new partnership recognises the shared heritage and future potential of these canal cities, while focusing on how waterways can support sustainable development in the modern world.

Keele was invited to join the network due to its close connection to the historic canal system running through Stoke-on-Trent. The Trent & Mersey and Caldon Canals played a vital role in the growth of the local pottery industry from the late 18th century, enabling the movement of raw materials and finished ceramics. These waterways helped underpin the success of manufacturers such as Josiah Wedgwood and shaped the city’s industrial landscape.

The partnership will support research collaboration, cross-cultural exchange, and new opportunities for student and staff mobility. A five-year action plan will guide joint work on environmental protection, sustainable urban development, and innovation across canal regions worldwide.

Representing Keele at the launch, Dr Mirna Maarabouni, Dean of Internationalisation and Partnerships in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, said the initiative offered a “strategic platform” for deeper international engagement.

“As a founding member, Keele joined 22 other universities in signing the CUCM Charter, establishing a structured framework for long-term international collaboration across canal cities,

“Building on our existing collaboration with Yangzhou University, we look forward to expanding our engagement through this new global network for the benefit of our students, partners and communities.”