A delegation from Queens University in Belfast was in New York a couple of weeks ago to forge research and education links between Northern Ireland and the United States.

The team, led by Queens University President and Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Gregson, held a series of high-level meetings with business and academic leaders here, including representatives of Fordham University, Georgetown University, Co-operation Ireland and the prestigious Marshall Scholarship program.

The highlight of the four-day visit was the conferment of an honorary degree on Dr. John J. DeGioia, president of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., with which Queens has extensive academic links.

At a ceremony in the Mutual of America building in Park Avenue, DeGioia was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws for services to higher education. The ceremony was also a part of the university's centenary celebrations.

Speaking to the Irish Voice Gregson said, "Our research and education links to the U.S. are growing stronger. Two years ago, for example, we signed a strategic partnership with Georgetown University to deliver high quality joint research in cancer studies, in law and human rights and in poetry and creative writing - all three areas where we would have world-class activity at Queens and where Georgetown is quite clearly also at that level.

"We've been focusing our efforts in developing special relationships with universities in the U.S. where we have very close synergies."

Gregson added that global connections are vital in today's higher education environment.

Queens has more than 1,100 graduates currently living and working here, and the university's plan is to enhance this further. The purpose of the delegation's visit was to enable them to meet with business and academic leaders who will help them to achieve their goals.

During the last two years, academics from both Queens and Georgetown universities have been crossing the Atlantic to collaborate on joint research.

In May of this year 450 lawyers, community workers, politicians and academic leaders from around the world gathered at Queens for the Mitchell Conference, organized in conjunction with Georgetown, on the lessons to be learned from building peace in Northern Ireland.

Added Gregson, "Among the senior Georgetown team who visited Queens was Dr. John J. DeGioia. In honoring him this week, Queen's is recognizing an eminent and visionary educationalist who has played a pivotal role in enhancing the valuable links between our two institutions and between the United States and Northern Ireland."