The University of Strathclyde and the Prince's Foundation are to work together on education and research in a bid to plug skills shortages in new architecture and design graduates.

A statement by the Prince of Wales's sustainable design charity said the collaboration reflected a "mutual commitment" and added to its growing presence in southwest Scotland, where it has been working on heritage projects.

The agreement, signed in London, is the latest academic partnership the charity has entered into, complementing graduate programmes in Oxford University, the University of Wales and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver.

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It will be effective as of September 2012 and eventually, the organisations hope to offer a joint graduate degree with a focus on sustainable community building.

Professor Sergio Porta of the university said the collaboration would "expand the university's excellence" in sustainable design, community engagement and more, areas which had been identified as "crucial for shaping a next generation of architects who are useful for our communities and for society".

The University of Strathclyde will provide new course options for fourth years and the Prince's Foundation will work on the university's architecture department guest lecture series.

Hank Dittmar of the Prince's Foundation said: "The collaboration with the university will form part of our extensive education programme, and further increase our efforts in contributing to the training of experts who can help fill an existing knowledge gap in the areas of urban design and green architecture."

(NE)