On March 18, 2024, more than 100 distinguished guests from the fields of: education, politics and business, gathered at Fulda University of Applied Sciences to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the German University Consortium for International Cooperation (DHIK). The event, was hosted by Dr. Jan-Martin Wiarda, and it was an impressive testament to the DHIK’s significant role in promoting global cooperation and academic exchange.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome by Prof. Dr. Karim Khakzar, President of Fulda University of Applied Sciences, who welcomed the guests in an atmosphere of unity and respect. Prof. Dr. Dieter Leonhard, Chairman of the DHIK and President of htw saar, reflected on two decades of international cooperation between German-speaking universities and emphasized the tireless efforts that have made the DHIK a leading player in this field.
On of the most special moments was the greeting form the embassies of different countries. They emphasized the importance of scientific exchange across cultural and geographical borders and the importance of international cooperation in the field of education. These messages were given by the Minister-Counsellor of the People’s Republic of China, Dr. Wei Huang, Dr. Wei Huang, the Ambassador of the United Mexican States, Francisco José Quiroga Fernández, and the Consul General of India, Mr. B. S. Mubarak of the Republic of India.
In her speech, Vivian Baganz, Ministerial Councillor at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), highlighted how international university cooperation can be successfully implemented in a political context.
The panel discussion brought emotional deepness to the event, the main topic was the development of leadership qualities in various cultures, economies, and societies. Prof. Dr. Zheng Qinghua President of Tongji University gave an introductory speech. followed by interventions from from renowned institutions such as the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), led by Secretary General Dr. Kai Sicks, Prof. Dr. Jiping Wang, Director of the Sino-German College of Applied Sciences (CDHAW) at Tongji University in China, alongside Prof. Dr. José Manuel Páez Borrallo, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, and Prof. Dr. Balakrishna Vinod, Head of the Department of Robotics and Automation Engineering at PSG College of Technology in India. J. M. Wiarda masterfully moderated the passionate discussion, ensuring an engaging experience for all participants.
Michael Höllermann, CHRO of thyssenkrupp AG’s Decarbon Technologies division, delivered an inspiring speech on the expectations that global companies hold for their executives, underscoring the significance of projects for the economy. His words eloquently highlighted the importance of intercultural competence and global perspectives in today’s professional landscape.
The event concluded with a moving testimonial from DHIK alumni. They shared, their motivations and experiences of studying on different continents. The stories of Lukas Froebus, Kehan Liu, Luis Carlos Chacon Ramirez, and Hari Vishnu Delhiram vividly showcased the transformative power of international education, sparking an interest in studying in a different cultural setting.
The last event of the festivities was a Gala Dinner hosted by the Association of Friends of DHIK. Prof. Dr. Reiner Dudziak, the association’s chairman greeted and welcomed the guests with an opening speech. Michael Konow, CEO of the IHK in Fulda, emphasized the importance of international exchange for the Fulda economic region in his intervention. The dinner provided attendees with an opportunity to network and share memories in a relaxed atmosphere.
Through these celebrations, DHIK has once again demonstrated that it is not just a project, but a vibrant community of individuals who are passionately dedicated to international collaboration and education. The 20-year success story of DHIK serves as an inspiring source of motivation for future generations of academics and leaders around the world.
We would like to thank Fulda University of Applied Sciences for their hospitality and all the guests for their support and the good discussions.
Fotos: Hochschule Fulda/Alexander Mengel
text: Dr. Rumin Luo