THE University of Sunderland has forged a special relationship with America’s largest college to further global research and exchange opportunities in sport and exercise science.

For more than 20 years Sunderland has developed a strong track record in the field of sports science for its teaching excellence, research and partnerships with regional and national sporting organisations.

As a result of its reputation, Sunderland was selected last year as part of a fact-finding visit to universities across the UK by a team of academics from Berry College in Georgia, who have been cultivating their own sports science department over the past eight years.

So impressed were the team at Berry by Sunderland’s research, teaching and facilities that they have forged an agreement between the two institutions, developing links and research opportunities, as well offering an exchange partnerships.