Augustana expands global opportunities with Uppsala University partnership

Augustana College has signed a memorandum of understanding with Uppsala University, gaining the rare distinction for an undergraduate U.S. institution to have a formal academic partnership with the Swedish institution.

The agreement strengthens a longstanding relationship between Augustana and Uppsala University's Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences. The partnership establishes a framework for student, faculty and researcher exchanges; joint conferences; collaborative research initiatives; and expanded connections to graduate education.

For Augustana, the partnership opens new avenues to the academic resources of one of Europe's premier research universities. 

For Uppsala, the relationship offers something equally valuable: the opportunity to learn from Augustana's distinctive liberal arts approach to education, where close faculty mentorship, engaged learning and civic responsibility are central to the student experience.

"Our Swedish partners are very interested in our focus on teaching, and what that means for how you develop citizens, community members and even researchers,” said Augustana President Andrea Talentino. “They are traditionally focused on students pursuing individual research projects where they may have little contact with their faculty, and they're really interested in how we build a classroom culture and tone that builds relationships, creates room for debate and contributes to the overall growth of the academic community."

This partnership builds on the longstanding ties between the two institutions, opening new pathways for future Vikings to learn, research and build international connections.