Delegation Visit from University of Oldenburg for the Annual Board Meeting

Once a year the Presidents of University of Oldenburg and the UG meet to discuss the progress in the roadmap for strategic collaboration. The focus is on

• Healthy ageing for a healthy society
• German and Dutch language, linguistics and history
• Energy transition and climate adaptation
• Governance, law and politics for a sustainable society
• Teacher training
• Knowledge transfer, entrepreneurship, public engagement and outreach

During the board meeting on 6^th September, the key indicators for success were discussed. 13 double doctorate candidates are working on their PhD-thesis (Arts, UMCG, FSE) and several other contracts are in the pipeline. The number of joint publications gradually increases. There is still room for improvement for the exchange of students. The international offices will be asked to look into that. Quite some Erasmus contracts are in place, but the take up rate is not optimal at the UG. The proximity of Oldenburg can be an advantage for some categories of students and enhance inclusion.

The cooperation in knowledge transfer is making good progress. The front office of UG in Papenburg is cooperating intensively with the Research and Transfer office of the University of Oldenburg. Several thematic meet ups have been organized in Papenburg in the past months for the local entrepreneurs, researchers from UG and UOL and community officials from Dörpen and Papenburg. The presidents discussed their plans to increase the interactions between “University of the North” and “Transfer region North West”.

On the same day, the delegates from Oldenburg also met directors and coordinators of the 4 Schools in the House of Connection.

There is seed money available for the organization of joint match making events or projects. The deadlines for application are 31 March, 30 June, 30 September. Information and forms are on the website.