Use database on different server?

So I’m not very knowledgeable about databases. I’ve tried to research this, but I’m not finding out much.

I’m wondering if it’s possible to use a database from a different server/site to install WP on a different server. The thing is that I am creating a website for a university club, which is located on the university’s server. They’re not very forthcoming with databases, and I thought it would just be easier to use one from my own domain/server. Is this possible? Or is there something else I could do to get around having to request a database from someone else and just use my own?

Thanks.