The World as a Guest in AalenExcellent lectures and inspiring Encounters During the First International Week at Aalen University

Participants at the International Week on the evening of the ceremony for the university's 60th anniversary. Photo: © Aalen University | Sandro Bretzger

Fr, 26. May 2023

From May 10 to 16, 2023, the International Week took place for the first time as part of Aalen University's 60th anniversary. It was organized by the International Relations Office of Aalen University in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Junker and the SmartPro cooperation network. In addition to exciting lectures, professors, staff and students of the university had the opportunity to exchange ideas with the international guests of the foreign partner universities and to solidify collaborations.

Numerous guests from all over the world took part in the first of Aalen University's International Weeks. Most of them had arrived in person, but some were also connected digitally. Among the participants were universities from Algeria, Finland, France, Indonesia, Israel, Morocco, Poland, Sweden, South Africa, the Czech Republic, Turkey as well as from Great Britain and the USA. They all took the opportunity to establish or deepen partnerships, but also to celebrate Aalen University's 60th anniversary together.

"During the international week, I had conversations with professors and PhD students. The discussions with the PhD students were very helpful to see what progress they are making. The intensive discussions with colleagues will lead to even better cooperation in the future," said a pleased Prof. Dr. Bruce Wood from Glasgow Caledonian University, who co-supervises several doctorates at Aalen University.

In order for the international guests to also get to know Aalen and the region, the InternationalRelations Office organized excursions in the area, city tours, museum visits and networking events. The occasion for the International Week was the 60th anniversary of Aalen University and it took place as part of the DAAD/BMBF-funded internationalization project HAW.International.

Scientist Ferdi Schüth as the highlight of the International Week

The core of the International Week was the symposium on "Global Perspectives on Planetary Boundaries: Sustainable Solutions for Limited Resources". Over the course of five days, lectures on topics such as energy, sustainable use of resources and corporate social responsibility were held jointly by professors and academic staff from Aalen University, as well as international guests. Dr. Ferdi Schüth, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim an der Ruhr, was able to be secured as the keynote speaker for the symposium. His lecture on "Elements of a new energy system: hydrogen and more" ensured a full Audimax and an enthusiastic audience. "Having such a renowned speaker as Dr. Ferdi Schüth with us at the university and learning from him was one of the highlights of the International Week for me. The interactions and conversations with the guests from all over the world were also very inspiring. The first International Week was definitely a complete success and should be repeated next year," said Prof. Dr. Anja Dieckmann, Vice-President for International Affairs at Aalen University.