STRATFORD - The universities of Waterloo and Western Ontario will collaborate on teaching, research and professional efforts on Waterloo's soon-to-be-established Stratford campus.

The two institutions today signed a memorandum of understanding in Stratford to investigate shared academic initiatives. They will look to collaborate on research and professional activities, particularly in the area of digital media, and jointly promote Canada's digital media sector. They will also explore opportunities to co-operate on the development of the Stratford Institute, with a view of having Western become an active participant.

"The University of Waterloo welcomes Western's enthusiasm for, and participation in, the development of a digital media campus and institute," said David Johnston, president of the University of Waterloo. "Western has well-established strengths in media, both traditional and digital, as well as in information technologies, which can only contribute to the success of our efforts to establish Stratford and Canada as digital media leaders."

"Western has considerable expertise in the areas of digital media, communications and information technologies," said Amit Chakma, president of the University of Western Ontario. "We look forward to exploring opportunities to collaborate with the University of Waterloo and its Stratford Institute."

Waterloo is currently creating a satellite campus in Stratford, focused on undergraduate and graduate education in digital media and the related areas of business, technology and creativity. The campus will also be home to the Stratford Institute, envisioned as a world-leading think tank and research institute in digital media, involving strong academic-business partnerships and significant commercialization activities.

The University of Western Ontario has expertise across the institution in various aspects of digital media, information technologies and critical media studies. Western's faculty of science has strengths in digital gaming and game programming, and its faculty of information and media studies is a national leader in undergraduate and graduate media studies, critical media studies, and the study of communication and information technologies. Western has helped spin off digital media companies, such as EK-3, and London is home to many leading digital companies, including Digital Extremes, named one Financial Post's Ten Best Companies to Work For - 2010.