German delegation to visit UO to build new programs, renew partnership

A delegation of 12 representatives from the state of Baden-Württemberg in Germany will visit the University of Oregon on September 6, 2013 to expand existing programs between the two states and celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Oregon University System (OUS) and Baden-Württemberg exchange program.

The delegation includes high-ranking representatives (Presidents, Rectors, Vice-Provosts, and Senior International Officers) from various universities in Baden-Württemberg. The leader of the delegation, Jürgen Walter, is the State Secretary of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts, which oversees higher education in the state.

“Our long-standing partnership with the Oregon University System is an important part of Baden-Württemberg’s international academic relations. The 45-years-anniversary is a welcome opportunity to celebrate this successful collaboration and explore ways of expanding it,” said Secretary of State Walter, who is an alumnus of the exchange program, having studied at the UO in 1981-82.

The University of Oregon and Baden-Württemberg program is a system-wide, cooperative exchange program that has facilitated the study and research abroad of more than 1,500 students from each consortium. This state-to-state exchange program involves more than 20 institutions of higher education, including some of Germany’s oldest and most established institutions, such as the University of Tübingen (1477), University of Heidelberg (1386), and University of Freiburg (1457).

Each year, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts contributes nearly $100,000 in support of the program.

In 2002, the Oregon University System (OUS) and Baden-Württemberg Exchange Program was awarded the Cooperation Prize from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Each year, students who participate in the exchange have the opportunity to apply for the prestigious and competitive DAAD student scholarship.

In the last five years, more than 150 UO students have participated in the program. About a third of all participants study German. The exchange program allows participants to gain cultural and linguistic competencies, as well as credit towards majors and minors in a variety of fields.

One of these exchange students was Jessica Montgomery, a junior at the UO and double major in psychology and German. She spent a year studying at the University of Tübingen. She is currently completing a summer internship at the Rheingold Institute of Qualitative Market and Media Research in Köln.

“I was lucky enough to be awarded the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) scholarship, which not only introduced me to international researchers and their work, but also allowed me to follow my passion of conducting cultural psychological research,” said Montgomery.

During the 2013-14 school year, Chas Barnard from the UO School of Music and Dance, and current recipient of the DAAD Scholarship, will be attending the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart, Germany.

“While abroad, I plan to continue my cello studies with Prof. Claudio Bohórquez and collaborate musically with students from around the world who attend Musikhochschule Stuttgart,” said Barnard, who attributes his success to his academic training and the mentorship of UO Professor Steven Pologe.

The German delegation is expected to meet with key faculty to discuss existing projects and explore new opportunities, including dual certifications between institutions and graduate programs.

“The Office of International Affairs, UO administration and faculty from across campus look forward to meeting with our colleagues from Germany to discuss the expansion of our transatlantic collaborations and the globalization of our educational mission,” said Vice Provost for International Affairs, Dennis Galvan.

The delegation will visit Oregon, September 3-7, and will travel to Portland, Monmouth, Corvallis, and Eugene.

 

Chakris Kussalanant
Director of Marketing & Communications
Office of International Affairs