After being an associated partner of the European University Alliance E³UDRES² for over a year, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has officially become a full member of the alliance with the start of the current funding period on October first. Together with regional cooperation partners, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has celebrated this important step of its internationalisation with a successful kick-off event on November 23, 2023.
The event focused on the meaning of the membership for the university and the region. Prof. Dr. Karim Khakzar, president of Fulda University of Applied Sciences, opened the event with a warm welcome and emphasized the importance of the alliance for strengthening the international position of Fulda University of Applied Sciences and the surrounding region. Representatives of the regional associated partners participating in the event highlighted the chances of international connections by reflecting on their personal international exchange experiences: City Councillor Dr. Amin Aschdjai-Benissi and Michael Konow, Managing Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Goals and Potential of International Collaboration
Hannes Raffaseder, Lead Coordinator of E³UDRES² and CEO of St. Pölten UAS, joined the event digitally to inform the audience about the history of the European University Alliance E³UDRES² and its strategic goals. Afterwards, the coordinator of the University Alliance in Fulda, Ronja Pralle, and the Head of the International Office, Julia-Sophie Rothmann, illustrated the strong interlink between the strategic goals of the alliance and of Fulda University of Applied Sciences. They include, among others, offering innovative and flexible learning opportunities to a heterogeneous student body, to equip the future workforce with future skills, finding solutions to global challenges through international research cooperation and to support the sustainable and smart development of the regions.
Benefitting from transnational experiences
Following these insights, a panel discussion was held on the topic "What does E³UDRES² mean to us?" with Prof. Dr. Claudia Kreipl (Vice-President for Research and Transfer); Michael Konow (Managing Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerc); Prof. Dr. Joanna Ozga (Dean of Studies, Faculty of Business); Julia-Sophie Rothmann (Head of International Office) and Hillary Natalie Chu (Alumna E³UDRES²-Bootcamp 2023; Student Food Processing). This allowed a multi-dimensional perspective into the opportunities created through joining the E³UDRES² Alliance.
To round off the event, participants had the chance to network while enjoying delicious european specialities from E³UDRES² countries, such as "Aukstā zupa" (beetroot soup) from Latvia or "Pastel de Nata" (pudding cakes) from Portugal.
Being a full member of the European University Alliance E³UDRES² provides students, lecturers, researchers and staff of Fulda University of Applied Siences as well as regional partners with new opportunities to cooperate on a european level. Thus, the regional embedment of Fulda University of Applied Siences is complemented with a strong international dimension.
Links
➝ Fulda University of Applied Sciences
