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Dr. Katarzyna Haverkamp vom Landratsamt des Ostalbkreises (l.) überreichte den Studierenden ihre Urkunden. Foto: © Hochschule Aalen | Gulchin Ibrahimli

Sixteen students from Aalen University of Applied Sciences and nine students from the University of Art and Design, Schwaebisch Gmuend were recently honored as honorary ambassadors of the East Wuerttemberg region (Region Ostwuerttemberg) during a festive ceremony at the Aalen District Office. The students who successfully completed the Ambassador Program are from Costa Rica, Spain, South Africa, India, Bosnia and Herzgovina, China, Finland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Honorary Ambassador status is achieved through active participation in the East Wuerttemberg Honorary Ambassador Program, which was launched in 2017 by the four state universities in the East Wuerttemberg region and the East Wuerttemberg Economic Development Agency (WiRO). The program was initiated to enable international students to integrate more quickly and more deeply into German culture and society. „We also want to form a group of students who represent our region and aim to promote our regional universities when they return home” explains Pascal Cromm, Head of the International Relations Office (Akademischen Auslandsamtes) at Aalen University.
Through their participation in a variety of activities and encounters, the international students have quickly integrated into the university and society. For example, they have done voluntary work for local organisations, attended events organised by associations such as the International Club or cultural events such as theatres, museums or concerts. Attending German courses is compulsory for prospective ambassadors from East Wuerttemberg.
Dr. Katarzyna Haverkamp, deputy head of staff at the Ostalbkreis District Office, welcomed the students and presented them with their certificates on behalf of District Administrator Dr. Joachim Blaese. She congratulated the students and emphasized the special features of the Ostalbkreis district. The region is diverse in its offerings and structure, it embodies all the attributes of Southern Germany and stands for the efficiency, skill and economic strength of the region, which is a robust economic region with many world-leading companies. Haverkamp emphasized the multicultural character of the region and its welcoming culture as well as its strong sense of hospitality.
The overarching goal is to create an inclusive society that respects all human and fundamental rights. She thanked all the international students for sharing their cultures with the region and encouraged them to spread their positive experiences worldwide. She invited the students to continue their studies here or to return as trainees, employees or as tourists.
Tlholo Melamu, a solo singer from the South African Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein, delighted the audience with a heartfelt performance of a gospel song from her home country. It was clear that the newly appointed ambassadors of East Wuerttemberg have a common goal: to take the Ostalbkreis to the world!