University guests from the US and Canada were invited by the DAAD to get to know German higher education institutions and other potential partners. 

This year, the DAAD once again invited representatives of universities and research institutes in the USA and Canada to take part in the Germany Today Tour. The aim of the trip is to provide participants with an overview of Germany’s university and research landscape to promote networking, dialogue and cooperation. The DAAD spent a week with the guests in southern Germany. Three participants report on their experiences. 

 

“The Germany Today Tour 2024 was a transformative and intensive week with memorable experiences. We visited around a dozen institutions in six cities in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. The program was packed: In presentations and lively discussions with leaders and faculty, we talked about current challenges for German universities as well as opportunities for collaboration.  

The highlight for me was forging connections with colleagues from Germany, as well as with peers from the U.S. and Canada. I truly appreciated the depth and quality of our dialogue, and the diversity of perspectives shared through our roundtable discussions, conversations on the bus, at dinner, and at our informal gatherings to watch Euro Cup soccer games together. I look forward to remaining connected with everyone, and I anticipate exploring new collaborations as well as deepening existing relationships with several of the universities we visited. 

Importantly, during this tour we connected as human beings first, not just as professionals. It is my strong belief that interpersonal ties and the bonds of friendship lay the groundwork for collaboration. They open a space for the free exchange of ideas and mutual respect, which I view as key ingredients in building long-term partnerships. This is the main reason why programs like Germany Today are invaluable.” 

 

“I was honoured to take part in the rewarding Germany Today program for 2024. It is a timely moment for German-Canadian academic relations, with the agreement for Canada to join Pillar Two of Horizon Europe with associate country status providing an exciting opportunity to deepen research partnerships. 

The robust itinerary included visits to a broad range of universities and industrial partners across southern Germany, from Frankfurt to Munich. This provided an informative picture of the diversity of institutions in the German academic system, highlighting the strong emphasis on excellence, the strength of industrial partnerships and the responsiveness to the needs of students, employers and industry. The opportunity to learn about this ecosystem approach provided valuable insights to inform policy making here in Canada.” 

 

“This week-long tour provided opportunities for us to expand connections and partnership opportunities with German institutions, reinforcing the already strong relationships built over the years with UBC and between Canada and Germany. Additionally, the expansion of Horizon Europe with Pillar Two now allows for even more comprehensive research and innovation partnerships, with Canada being able to participate. As an additional bonus for this year, we were especially lucky to be able to participate in the tour to the backdrop of Germany hosting the Euro Cup 2024 soccer tournament. It showcased the welcoming atmosphere and provided a unique experience to engage with locals and people from around Europe. 

One of the most compelling aspects of the tour was the well-arranged networking opportunities with partner institutions and individuals. Meeting German colleagues from renowned institutions such as the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Technical University Munich (TUM), Augsburg University, and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU), among others, in a concentrated time frame provided a depth of interaction that would be challenging to achieve during individual visits. 

Germany Today 2024 was an excellent program and the experience was nothing but positive. It was a fantastic experience that offered opportunities to connect with German universities and companies, and I would highly recommend it to future participants.” 

Luca Rhese-Knauf (29 August 2024)