SULSA and Research Innovation Scotland partners hosted a delegation of 23 academics from German Universities of Applied Sciences

Minister Graeme Dey, Vice President Prof Karin Jacobs and SULSA Director Dr. Ali McIntosh.

2-6 September 2024, Scotland.

SULSA and Research Innovation Scotland partners had the great pleasure of hosting a delegation of 23 academics from German Universities of Applied Sciences for a week-long tour of Scotland and its Higher Education Institutes. This trip was part of the German Research Foundation (Deutsches Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) Networking for Research Initiative, a year-long programme to support the internationalisation of German Universities of Applied Sciences.

 This event took place following a Connected Scotland hosted workshop in January 2023 with the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD (the world’s largest funding organisation for the international exchange of students and researchers) and the German Research Foundation DFG (the central research funding organisation in Germany). It was at this event that SULSA met the DFG and Scotland became the European partner for this initiative.

 In the first week of September 2024 SULSA was delighted to welcome 23 academics from 17 German Universities of Applied Sciences and six members of DFG staff, including DFG Vice President Prof Karin Jacobs. To begin the week delegates were welcomed by members of the Connected Scotland committee, Research Innovation Scotland partners, Deputy Consulate General, Holger Thiessen and Minister Graeme Dey at a networking reception. 

“Meeting with the German Research Foundation is another example of our ongoing collaboration with European partners in both research and education. Our discussions were underpinned by a shared commitment to making a difference in our society and how enhanced collaboration can help tackle a number of global health and environmental challenges. This partnership will ensure that Scottish universities and German universities of applied sciences can drive real world impact” said Minister Graeme Dey.

 The delegation travelled from Glasgow to Edinburgh, to St Andrews to Inverness over 5 days meeting academics from SULSA’s 13 members. We were delighted to be hosted on our final day by The Data Lab with the German General Consul, Christiane Hullmann joining us to close the week and to share her excitement for international research collaboration between Scotland and Germany and speak about the work the consulate and government are doing to alleviate barriers.

 SULSA would like to extend a sincere thank you to all of our members, researchers, and partners who supported this visit and gave the delegation such a warm Scottish welcome. We would also like to thank the DFG for trusting us as the European partner for their Networking for Researchers Initiative. Follow on events, will include a virtual deep dive into international collaboration and mobility funding.

 Please contact A.Hughes@SULSA.ac.uk if you would like to learn more or get involved with our international endeavours with Germany.