University of Plymouth - United Kingdom

University of Plymouth is renowned worldwide for its high-quality research, teaching and innovation. With a mission to Advance Knowledge and Transform Lives, the University drives the global debate in disciplines from marine and maritime to medicine, law, computing and climate action.
A three-time winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education – most recently in respect of its pioneering research on microplastics pollution in the ocean – Plymouth consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities for its innovation, research and teaching in relation to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 78% of its research was assessed as world-leading or internationally-excellent, with nine subject areas seeing 100% of their submission rated in the highest categories for impact.
In recognition of its efforts to reduce the impact of campus activities on the environment, the University has been verified carbon neutral. The independent PAS 2060 verification acknowledges a reduction in emissions of 78% since 2005, with the University more than halving its carbon footprint since 1990, and significantly reducing its water usage, waste, and business travel. This has enabled it to achieve its initial net zero ambition three years ahead of target, and the University continues to invest in a sustainable future through upgrades to its estate.
First established more than 160 years ago as the Plymouth School of Navigation, the University of Plymouth has a proud track record of helping its students find their way in an increasingly complex world, including developing the essential skills, resilience and experience they will need throughout their future careers. Its teaching and learning excellence is reflected in it being awarded Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, while it also boasts one of the highest numbers of National Teaching Fellows of any UK university.
Its strong connections to business and industry generates opportunities for placements, internships and employment, alongside inspiring and nurturing creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. Students also have access to a full range of non-academic and wellbeing support throughout their studies, meaning they get the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally. And with over 18,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students, plus a further 7,000 studying at partner institutions in the UK and around the world, and over 180,000 alumni pursuing their chosen careers internationally, the University of Plymouth has a growing global presence.
Victoria University - Australia

Victoria University achieved university status in 1990, but their preceding institutions date back to 1916. Victoria University is one of Australia’s few dual-sector universities. Today, they have more than 46,000 enrolled students in higher education, vocational education and training students in their campuses.
VU is ranked in the top 3% of universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
The ranking is a list of the best universities globally and is the only international performance ranking to evaluate universities across their core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook.
In other THE rankings :
- VU is ranked in the world’s top 100 universities under 50 years old, in the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.
- VU ranked 54th in 2018 and 55th in 2017 for the Times Higher Education Asia Pacific University Rankings, moving up to 51st in 2019.
Our engineering and computer science subjects also ranked among the state’s best in the 2019 World University Subject Rankings.
In 2021, our rankings improved dramatically in three of our focus areas: Business Eco, Life Sciences, and Psychology.
As well as about 5000 international students studying our courses in Australia, we have more than 9400 international students studying VU courses at overseas partner institutions, mainly in Asia.
Being a dual-sector university means that our students can easily pathway from vocational education to higher education – such as from a certificate or diploma course through to an undergraduate degree or even a postgraduate qualification by coursework or research.
American University - Washington, DC

Chartered by Congress in 1893, American University is a private, student-centered research institution located on a 90-acre campus in a residential neighborhood just a few miles from downtown Washington, DC. AU boasts prestigious schools and colleges, internationally renowned faculty, and a reputation for making an impact in the world. Students distinguish themselves for their service, leadership, and willingness to tackle global and domestic challenges and opportunities. At AU, passion becomes action as students actively engage with the world around them. Today’s leaders train tomorrow’s, instilling such values as integrity, excellence, human dignity, community, free inquiry, truth-seeking, and impact. AU was founded to meet the needs of a changing world, and in today’s climate, that mission has never been more important. US News and World Report recognizes AU as among the most innovative universities in the country, thanks to our extraordinary faculty and staff, cutting-edge facilities, and focus on teaching, research, engagement, and action. With eight schools and more than 170 programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, AU offers students a personalized curriculum of theoretical study and experiential learning. AU’s cutting-edge curriculum takes students from the classroom to the nation’s capital and all around the globe. With influential research centers and an R1 designation, AU’s excellence in research is a testament to the caliber and scholarship of the university’s faculty and staff. AU nearly doubled yearly research award totals between 2019 and 2023. Given the breadth of scholarship and excellence of faculty, AU will continue to seize the opportunities of the future throughout the world.