Glasgow University students are to benefit from closer links with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

Academics will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a ceremony in the US capital on Friday which they say will "forge stronger links for the benefit of all".

The agreement will formally cement a relationship stemming back more than 20 years and has included various collaborations such as a series of summer teaching schools and access to historic collections.

It comes ahead of the autumn opening of Glasgow University's transformed Kelvin Hall.

The £35m project will bring together study and teaching areas, museum collections and leisure facilities.

Professor James Conroy, who will attend the ceremony on behalf of the university, said: "The MoU reinforces the very essence of what Kelvin Hall represents - the transformation of a landmark building through a unique partnership, bringing together under one roof culture, heritage, academia and leisure, while providing a service to the wider community."

Dr Richard Kurin, from the Smithsonian, said: "This MoU strengthens our ties and anticipates future possibilities that could emerge from the relationship."

The Smithsonian, the world's largest museum and research complex, was established in 1846 with funds from British chemist James Smithson, who left his estate to found "at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge".