Long-standing partnership expanded

On June 5, 2023, the second closed-door meeting between the University Executive Boards of the Technical University of Liberec and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences took place. The goal of this newly established and now regularly held event is to strengthen the existing partnership between the two institutions.

This time, the Technical University of Liberec was the guest in Zittau, following the first meeting in November 2022, when the University of Zittau/Görlitz visited its Czech partners. In attendance were the Rector, Prof. Miroslav Brzezina, and the Vice President for International Relations, Prof. Kateřina Maršíková.

The highlight of the meeting on June 5, 2023, was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. With this, TU Liberec and HSZG reaffirm their commitment to establishing a strategic institutional partnership. This includes collaborating on and preparing the EU application to establish a European university alliance, as well as establishing new forms of cooperation in the tri-border region.

Further concrete next steps identified include the introduction of a joint bachelor’s degree programme in “European Business” and the further development of the master’s degree programme in “mechatronics.” These degree programmes will enable students to attend classes / courses in both Liberec and Zittau and graduate with a dual degree. At the same time, the students will become familiar with two cultures and languages—a wonderful example of cross-border cooperation in action!

During the meeting, the Czech guests also toured the HSZG’s LaNDER³ Hall. They were particularly impressed by the research into a sustainable and holistic circular economy.

A follow-up meeting has already been scheduled: It is set to take place during the 2023–24 winter semester at the Technical University of Liberec.