2019 has been a particularly busy year for the UAS7 New York Liaison Office. At the end of the year, we want to look back and seize the opportunity to thank our supporters again – please enjoy the highlights below.

2019 Highlights

Deutschlandjahr USA – The Year of German American Friendship

One of our main activities in 2019 was the Deutschlandjahr. We ran an event series on “Employability (made) in Germany” in five different states in the U.S. At each of these events, a panel of representatives of UAS7 partner universities, companies, UAS7, business organizations as well as alumni discussed “Employability (made) in Germany” opportunities. The five events featured seven high-ranking UAS7 members, nine speakers and moderators from our host universities, 25 representatives of Germany-based companies, six speakers from German American Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations, and three alumni. More than 350 audience members joined us over the course of the series. More information about the events can be found here. Recently, we also shared the five key lessons this experience has taught us.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

We started out with an event in Huntsville, Alabama on January 30 with colleagues from Bremen City University of Applied Sciences joining us at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).

Our Employability panel included university administrators and executives, business representatives, an alum, and Michael H. Johnson the Honorary Consul who introduced the event. Nicole Heimann of the German American Chamber of Commerce South moderated. The Alabama-Germany Partnership supported us tremendously here. Thank you to everyone!! Here, you can watch our wonderful video summary of the event:

“Employability (made) in Germany” at the University of Southern Indiana

Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and the University of Southern Indiana have a long-standing partnership. Our joint “Employability (made) in Germany” event on April 17 drew a large group of students and staff, as well as the German Honorary Consul of Indiana Sven Schumacher who also provided remarks. The Osnabrück and UAS7 delegation were very well received. Highlights included a dinner with the mayor of Evansville and meetings with high-ranking university representatives.

NAFSA Annual Conference & GAIN Conference

This summer we also went to the NAFSA and GAIN conferences.

NAFSA is the largest and most dynamic international education event in the world. In 2019, the conference took place in Washington D.C. from May 26 to 31. UAS7 participated together with colleagues from our member universities. Traditionally, we invited our colleagues and partners to a Partners’ Luncheon on the first day of the conference. NAFSA, once again, was a great networking opportunity, which fostered the exchange with our colleagues and partners.

The GAIN Conference 2019 in San Francisco

This year, the GAIN Conference (German Academic International Network) took place in San Francisco from August 23 to 25. Each year, GAIN gathers more than 500 participants who have the opportunity to meet with German scientists, researchers, and stakeholders from politics and industry. UAS7 organized a workshop on „Personal Career Paths“ in cooperation with Hochschulallianz für den Mittelstand and participated in the “Talent Fair” to actively network with German researchers and scientists who are potentially interested in a return to Germany.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at Wichita State University

In fall, our Deutschlandjahr activities picked up steam again. On September 11, 2019 we went to Wichita State University (WSU), a long-term partner of the Berlin School of Economics and Law, in the heart of Kansas. Panelists at our event included UAS7 President Professor Andreas Zaby, President of Berlin School of Economics and Law, speakers from Airbus, Siemens and GACC Midwest, as well as a Professor of Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (and Airbus employee). The event attracted 75 audience members, including high-level staff of Wichita State University. Before the event, we were particularly happy to be able to meet with WSU Interim President Andy Tomkins to talk about opportunities for future collaboration. Thanks to everyone who participated!

The Ambassador’s Initiative: “Science Meets Oktoberfest” in Columbus, Ohio

German Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences invited the Ohio State University community as well as everyone in Columbus, OH, interested in German career options for a fun night out with German education, beer and brats.

On the occasion of Deutschlandjahr, the German university liaison offices at the German Haus, led by the University of Cologne and UAS7 offices, celebrated at the Hofbräuhaus in Columbus, Ohio. On a panel for “Science Meets Oktoberfest,” alumni of German universities and universities of applied sciences (two of them from UAS7) described their career paths and discussed the role Germany and German education plays for them today. Thank you everyone for coming out!

“Employability (made) in Germany” at Clemson University

The Deutschlandjahr event at Clemson University on October 9 took a different format than the other events. Here we became part of the annual German Professional Business Conference organized by the German Department at Clemson University. TH Köln President Stefan Herzig provided welcoming remarks and Vice President Klaus Kreulich of Munich University of Applied Sciences delivered a keynote address in front of an audience of business representatives and students. The keynote highlighted the role of Universities of Applied Sciences, their model of applied education in Germany, and research and student exchange opportunities.

“Employability (made) in Germany” at the University of Pittsburgh

Our last “Employability”-stop this year was in Pittsburgh on October 18. The Deutschlandjahr event at the University of Pittsburgh, one of the long-term partners of UAS7 in the United States. Vice President of FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Carsten Schröder, delivered a keynote speech at an event that featured five German companies in the area as well as the German American Chambers of Commerce: both the CEO and President of GACC New York, Dietmar Rieg, and the President of the GACC Pittsburgh Chapter, Rachel Mauer, provided words of welcome.

Wrapping it up with a New York City Sail!

We concluded a year which has been more than “wunderbar” for us with a sailing tour to the Statue of Liberty to enjoy the beautiful landmarks of New York City together with friends and alumni from various universities.

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