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Sunset at the North Campus © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund
International Cooperation

UA Ruhr Opens Liaison Office in Latin America

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Photo: The “Octavio Frias de Oliveira” bridge in São Paulo spans a shimmering river. Next to the bridge are green parks and gleaming high-rise buildings with glass fronts. © f11photo​/​stock.adobe.com
São Paulo wurde aufgrund seiner wissenschaftlichen Stärken und Verbindungen als Standort für das Verbindungsbüro in Lateinamerika ausgewählt.
On 9 June 2025, the University Alliance Ruhr opened a new liaison office in São Paulo. Its aim is to strengthen and strategically develop the academic exchange between the three member universities and their partner institutions in Latin America. Located in the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) in São Paulo, the new office will be coordinated by the University of Duisburg-Essen and will represent the interests of the University Alliance throughout Latin America. It complements the existing liaison offices of the UA Ruhr, which are responsible for North America and Eastern Europe/Central Asia.

“With the new liaison office in São Paulo, we are strengthening the academic bridge between the University Alliance Ruhr and Latin America – for joint research as well as the exchange of student and researchers,” explained the rectors of the three universities, Prof. Barbara Albert (University of Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Manfred Bayer (TU Dortmund University) and Prof. Martin Paul (Ruhr University Bochum). International networking is indispensable, also in order to analyze and tackle global challenges such as climate change or the protection of democratic structures in a scientifically well-founded manner.

The office is headed by Prof. Matthias Epple (University of Duisburg-Essen) as Scientific Director and Marcio Weichert as Managing Director. They emphasize: “The liaison office for Latin America and the Caribbean connects us with a diverse region with great potential for cooperation – from rainforest ecology to particle accelerators and medical research. It is the ideal complement to the University Alliance Ruhr's international network.”

Cooperation Based on Many Years of Collaboration

Prof. Karen Shire, Vice-Rector for University Culture, Diversity and International Affairs at the University of Duisburg-Essen, who was instrumental in establishing the new location, also emphasised the social relevance of the office: “São Paulo was chosen as the location because of its scientific strengths and existing connections – backed by years of experience in international cooperation. Brazil offers not only excellent academic partnerships, but also a dynamic environment for building long-term networks throughout the region.”

The opening ceremony was attended by numerous invited guests from Germany and Latin America, including Katharina Fourier (Head of the Regional Office of the German Academic Exchange Service in Rio de Janeiro and Director of the German House of Science and Innovation in São Paulo), Dr. Christina Peters (Head of the DFG Office Latin America) and Professor Sandra Goulart Almeida (Rector of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais). A total of 12 representatives from Brazilian universities took part, as well as representatives from the  Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and the Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência. The event included contributions on the topic of academic freedom. The keynote speech, entitled “Opportunities and Challenges to Academic Freedom and Democracy”, was given by Professor Sandra Goulart Almeida.

Photo: A group of people in suits and blazers sit on a stage during a panel discussion. A presentation can be seen behind them. In front of them are side tables with flowers. © Felipe Mairowski​/​UA Ruhr
From left to right: Prof. Eduardo Zancul (Universidade de São Paulo), Prof. Barbara Albert (University of Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Sandra Almeida (Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais), Prof. Gerhard Schembecker (TU Dortmund University), Prof. Martin Paul (Ruhr University Bochum) and Prof. Kornelia Freitag (Ruhr University Bochum).

The leaders of the University Alliance Ruhr and the Universidade Federal  de Minas Gerais also signed a memorandum of understanding to establish their strategic partnership.

The UA Ruhr had already opened a liaison office in Brazil in 2011 with headquarters in Rio de Janeiro. However, the office was temporarily closed in 2020. Now everyone involved is looking forward to reopening the branch in São Paulo.

More Information on the Liaison Offices of the UA Ruhr

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