UA Ruhr Strengthens Relations with Four Universities in Colombia

Weichert not only presented the alliance and the corresponding opportunities for graduate studies and research at the UA Ruhr campuses and its partner universities, but also discussed the status of existing partnerships and ongoing negotiations for new collaborations.

Universidad de Los Andes (Uniandes), Bogotá

Colombia’s first private university without religious or political affiliations is considered the country’s top institution of higher education in some rankings, such as the QS World University Rankings 2027. Its strengths lie particularly in the fields of engineering, business, and social sciences, which align with the UA Ruhr’s focus areas.

Within the UA Ruhr initiative, Uniandes maintains a partnership with the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) in the field of information systems (business informatics) through the IS-Link network. Each year, the Department of Systems and Computer Engineering (DISC) at Uniandes accepts at least one master’s student from UDE for a one-semester exchange. Although this is a relatively small-scale exchange, there is regular, active collaboration between the two institutions.

On September 14, Weichert visited the university, met with the team from the International Office (including Johan Sebastian Cruz Ramírez and Andrés David Mantilla Orozco), and took a brief tour of the campus in the Colombian capital. Particularly noteworthy were the warmth and professionalism of everyone he met, as well as the quality of the facilities in both the historic and modern buildings, “which points to an excellent environment for teaching and research,” according to the executive director’s assessment.

National University of Colombia (UNAL), Bogotá

The third edition of the “Día de Alemania” (Germany Day) event at UNAL on September 15 exceeded all expectations in terms of attendance. The event, organized by the host university in collaboration with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), attracted more than 200 students and early-career researchers.

The audience followed the presentations by representatives from German universities and the DAAD with great interest and afterwards had the opportunity to discuss mobility opportunities, graduate programs, doctoral studies, postdocs, as well as scholarships and recreational activities with them during a small fair.

UNAL also offers a double-degree program with Germany, specifically with Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). The exchange program, which leads to a double degree in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (B.Sc.), has been very successful. In the current German winter semester alone, more than 20 UNAL students have arrived in Bochum.

The high demand for the program was clearly evident in the students’ interest in the counseling sessions at the UA Ruhr information booth. Half of the conversations took place with engineering students, particularly those in the “Ingeniería Electrónica y Elétrica” programs, who are eligible to participate in the double-degree program in Electrical Engineering at RUB. Upon completion of their studies, graduates receive both a German and a Colombian bachelor’s degree.

The RUB also maintains a comprehensive agreement with UNAL for student exchanges across all degree programs and academic levels, while a mobility agreement with the University of Duisburg-Essen covers students in the fields of engineering, political science, and Romance studies (Spanish).

The German delegation met for lunch with the Vice President for Research, Olga Janneth Gómez Ramírez, and the Director of International Affairs, Camilo Cortes, as well as their teams. The discussion focused on academic and scientific cooperation, while everyone present enjoyed a delicious traditional dish from Bogotá.

DAAD, Bogotá

Also in the Colombian capital, on September 16, Weichert visited the DAAD Regional Office, where Director Dr. Reinhard Babel and his team welcomed the small delegation from German universities (Ruhr University Bochum, University of Münster, Technical University of Munich, Freie Universität Berlin) for an exchange with representatives of Colombian universities.

The dialogue provided an excellent opportunity to showcase the strengths of the UA Ruhr institutions, get to know the local universities, and discuss potential collaborations.

Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB), Medellín

On September 17, the executive director of the UA Ruhr Latin America Liaison Office visited the beautifully landscaped campus of the UPB, where he was given a very warm welcome. The Catholic university is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and maintains more than 20 agreements with German partners, including Ruhr University Bochum (RUB). The mobility agreement has been in place for several years and applies to all levels of study and fields of study. Most recently, exchange students from the fields of computer science and engineering have participated, though there is room to expand the scope of the exchange program.

Recently, the Institute for Energy Systems, Energy Efficiency, and Energy Economics (ie3) at the Technical University of Dortmund also began negotiations on an agreement with the Department of Chemical Engineering at UPB (research group “Transmission and Distribution of Energy” – T&D), with a focus on research collaboration on the topic of “Smart Grid.”

Weichert first met with Hellen Ramírez G., coordinator for multicampus internationalization, and subsequently spoke with the Vice Chancellor for Research, Ana Cecilia Escudero Atehortua, as well as with researchers from various academic fields, such as health, public administration, economics, and the social sciences. The discussions centered on the research and innovation structures at UA Ruhr and its three universities, as well as opportunities for research visits and collaborations.

The UA Ruhr representative was also invited by Jaime Alejandro Barajas G., Specialist for Networks and International Cooperation in the Vice-Rectorate for Research and Transfer, to participate as a speaker and panelist in the online pre-event for ICA2027, the International Congress of Americanists, on the topic “Dialogues of the Americas: The State of Academic Diplomacy and Perspectives for Higher Education.” In this context, Weichert will speak about the UA Ruhr’s decision to select the Americas as one of the priority regions for its international relations.

Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín

The German-Colombian Research Day at UdeA marked the conclusion of the agenda in Colombia. Once again, representatives from various German universities — including the UA Ruhr universities — and the DAAD presented their opportunities in the areas of study, research, collaboration, and funding in presentations to over 60 Colombian students, faculty members, and researchers, as well as to answer individual questions at information booths.

Ruhr University Bochum is currently negotiating with the Universidad de Antioquia regarding a mobility and cooperation agreement covering all levels and academic disciplines.