01/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 1 September, the European Commission consolidated its longstanding cooperation with the US and Canada by announcing the launch of 33 new and innovative projects involving universities and training institutions on both sides of the Atlantic. These projects are jointly funded and supervised by the European Commission and the governments of the partner countries. Their objective is to promote mutual understanding, transparency and quality in higher education and training, and provide students from both Europe and North America with experience of studying abroad. This is accomplished through the establishment of long-term institutional cooperation at bachelor and master's levels. The 33 projects launched this year involve 154 institutions and more than 1220 student exchanges. (O.L./transl.rh)