Important step

During a ceremonial event at the Federal Foreign Office on November 11, 2019, a consortium agreement was signed between the universities that have been actively supporting the German-Kazakh University (DKU) for years. This group consists of the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, the Technical University of Applied Sciences in Wildau, and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Present for the signing of this agreement were President Prof. Tippe (TH Wildau) and the rectors Prof. Albrecht (University of Zittau/Görlitz), Prof. Heinemann (Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Hilmer (Mittweida University of Applied Sciences), and Prof. Sawatzki (representing the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences) had traveled to the event.

The participants were welcomed by Mr. Cecere, officer at the Federal Foreign Office for Foreign Science, Education, and Research Policy and Foreign Cultural Policy. This was followed by welcoming remarks from Mr. Karipov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Dr. Geifes, Head of the Division for Transnational Education and Cooperation Programs at the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD); and Prof. Höller, Director of the DKU project. Later in the event, Mr. Münch, Head of the Division for Universities, Science, and Research; German Science and Innovation Hubs at the Federal Foreign Office, presented the German approach to science diplomacy. This resonated deeply with those in attendance.

The signing of the consortium agreement among the DKU’s partner universities marks a milestone in the history of German-Kazakh cooperation regarding the development of the German-Kazakh University. For more than ten years, DKU has received reliable support from this group of five German universities. Kazakh students have the opportunity to earn a dual degree at the partner universities. Professors from these universities form the long-standing core of the vital “flying faculty.” Together, they work with DKU on the further development of the academic programs. Some time ago, these long-standing partners expressed a desire to give this rather informal network a somewhat more formal framework. Consequently, an agreement was negotiated in recent months between the participating universities and the DKU project management to form a consortium to support the DKU. By its very design, this consortium is open to additional members.