universities around the world. Such links would be traced as far back as 1921 when the University College Colombo established close links to the University of London. Modern links have led to several global partnerships that have resulted in exchange in teaching and learning models, collaborative research, curriculum design, and student exchange. The International Unit of the University of Colombo (IUUC) coordinates and develops international links. IUUC facilitates staff exchanges, distance learning, dual degree programs, joint conferences, seminars, workshops and academic networking. Global networking UoC is a member of several international academic networks: Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) International Association of Universities (IAU) International teaching and research partners La Trobe University, Australia Western Sydney University, Australia Monash University, Australia University of British Columbia, Canada University of Ottawa, Canada Darmstadt University of Technology, Germany City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Mahatma Gandhi University, India Ritsumeikan University, Japan University of Oslo, Norway National University of Singapore, Singapore University of Uppsala, Sweden University of London, United Kingdom University of Pennsylvania, United States Government partnerships European Molecular Biology Network Government of Sweden – research Cooperation: SAREC Project Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Research co-operation Student life Student organizations Over 10,000 students attend the University of Colombo and others follow external degree programs conducted by the university. Students at the University of Colombo run over 40 clubs and organizations, including cultural and religious groups, academic clubs and teams, and common-interest organizations. Each faculty has its own Students Unions, where committee members are elected to by the students of the faculty. These student societies include: Arts Students' Union Medical Students' Union Science Faculty Students' Council Moot Court and Debating Society, Faculty of Law Law Students' Union UCSC Students' Union Religious Societies Buddhist Students' Association Muslim Majlis Hindu Students' Union Catholic Students' Movement Student Christian Movement FMF Media Unit - Faculty of Management and Finance Media Unit AIESEC Colombo Central Local Committee Epsilon Delta Society Rotaract Club Computer Science Society (CompSoc) UCSC ISACA Student Group Tamil Literary Union Mathematical and Astronomical Society Physics Society FOS Media - Faculty of Science Media Unit University Amalgamated Club Residential facilities Since its inception, the University of Colombo has maintained residential facilities for its undergraduate students. This has been an integral part of the urban university culture of the UoC.