A Danish and a Swedish university have joined forces to create the largest centre for research and studies in the natural sciences in northern Europe.

Oresunds University will begin operations next summer, with about 7,500 students at the University of Copenhagen and a further 1,500 at the University of Lund. Under their agreement, undergraduates and graduates will study at the two universities for alternate weeks.

The agreement covers exchange of knowledge and research results, while the close cooperation will give the opportunity for more efficient use of field stations and expensive scientific equipment.

Henrik Jeppesen, dean of the faculty of natural sciences at Copenhagen, said: "Internationalisation in higher education is not just a stay at the University of California or other exotic places.

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"It is obvious that two large universities only 30 kilometres apart should intensify their exchange of students, researchers and ideas."

Although the resunds collaboration covers only natural science, it could be expanded to include other faculties.

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Finance for the project is expected from the European Union, the Swedish and Danish research councils and a foundation created by the two cities.