Illinois Tech, which is based in central Chicago, is a private college specialising in “technology-focused research”. The international recruitment drive will start immediately, and the first cohort of this new initiative will begin studying in the autumn of 2018.

“We have students from more than 100 different countries… we are confident we will be able to broaden our reach”

President of Illinois Tech, Alan Cramb, says the university already has a global footprint, but this partnership is aimed at widening the global areas students are recruited from and strengthening the student body.

“Illinois Tech [has a] true global reach and impact,” he said. “This partnership with such a respected, international organisation will build on that strength and lead to an even more globally representative student body in the future.”

Alongside the recruitment push, a new pathway program will be inaugurated, according to April Welch, assistant vice president, Strategic Initiatives.

“We have students from more than 100 different countries… By creating a new pathway program and working with CEG’s extensive international network we are confident we will be able to broaden our reach,” she said in a statement.

This will be CEG’s seventh such partnership in the US, with existing agreements in place with institutions in Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts, California and Texas.