From September 3 to 5, 2025, Vice President Chu Ching-Peng of National Dong Hwa University (NDHU) led a delegation to visit three renowned universities in northern Germany: Hochschule Bremen (City University of Applied Sciences Bremen), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, and the University of Hamburg. The delegation included Su Ming-Chien, Director of the Office of International Affairs, and Liu Li-Chi, Executive Secretary and Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Section.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing partnerships, promote academic research and student exchanges, and explore new models of cooperation—such as student internships and short-term programs—expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary and international collaboration.

Hochschule Bremen: Advancing Inter-University Cooperation and Internship Exchanges

Hochschule Bremen, located in the northern port city of Bremen, is known for its convenient transportation, friendly living environment, and high appeal to international students. With five faculties spanning business, engineering, natural sciences, and social sciences, the university hosts about 20% international students and is renowned for its practice-oriented and globally oriented education.

During the visit, the NDHU delegation met with representatives from the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering and the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, confirming intentions for collaboration. They reached preliminary consensus on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), launching student exchanges, and initiating internship programs. The School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science promptly provided information on internship opportunities after the meeting, reflecting the strong effectiveness of cooperation. Meanwhile, the School of Social Sciences also expressed strong interest in collaboration. Both institutions set the signing of an inter-university cooperation agreement as a near-term goal, aiming to finalize it this year and launch programs next year.

This partnership will help NDHU expand its exchange opportunities in Europe, creating more cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning and internship pathways for its students.

University of Oldenburg: Strengthening Transnational Research in Marine Environmental Sciences

Since establishing a sister-university relationship in 2018, NDHU and the University of Oldenburg have enjoyed frequent student exchanges and a strong friendship. During this visit, Vice President Chu delivered a speech in fluent German, expressing gratitude for Oldenburg’s support and care for NDHU students. Vice President Prof. Dr. Katharina Al-Shamery personally hosted the delegation and arranged a visit to the Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), where the group learned more about its research achievements and teaching methods. Both sides reached preliminary consensus on collaborative projects such as joint PhD supervision.

The delegation also engaged in in-depth discussions with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jorge Marx Gómez, coordinator of the NEWW project (Network for Labour-Market Oriented Education in Waste and Water Management for the Sub-Saharan Region). This initiative, involving African partner institutions, promotes education in water resources and waste management through joint courses, research collaborations, and career development activities, with a focus on practical skills and circular economy concepts. Director Su Ming-Chien of NDHU’s Office of International Affairs also shared related research outcomes, further fostering academic interaction and cooperation intentions.

This exchange not only deepened NDHU’s ties with the University of Oldenburg but also laid a foundation for future international collaboration in marine science and environmental studies.

University of Hamburg: Broadening Multidisciplinary Collaboration

The University of Hamburg is one of Germany’s leading comprehensive universities. According to the 2025 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, it ranks 132nd worldwide, with strong academic performance across multiple fields, including a 66th ranking in Law.

NDHU’s collaboration with Hamburg originated from an agreement between the NDHU European Union Research Center and Hamburg’s Faculty of Law. During the visit, the delegation met with representatives from the University of Hamburg’s International Office, presenting NDHU’s strengths and exploring potential collaboration in student exchanges, joint research projects, and multi-field cooperation. Both sides expressed the intent to expand collaboration beyond existing foundations.

Outcomes of the Northern Germany Visit: Strengthening Partnerships and Expanding Internationalization

This visit to northern Germany not only consolidated NDHU’s partnerships with three renowned German universities but also deepened mutual interaction and consensus in academic research, student exchanges, internships, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The outcomes provide concrete opportunities for NDHU faculty and students to engage in internationalized learning, research, and internships, while laying a solid foundation for the continued strengthening of bilateral cooperation.