University Alliance Ruhr
Opening of the liaison office in Latin America
- von Juliana Fischer
- 13.06.2025
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. The new office, located in the German Centre for Research and Innovation in São Paulo, will be coordinated by the University of Duisburg-Essen and 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 student and researcher exchanges,’ sais the rectors of the three universities, Prof. Dr. Barbara Albert (University of Duisburg-Essen), Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer (TU Dortmund University) and Prof. Dr. Martin Paul (Ruhr University Bochum). They believe that international networking is indispensable – not least for analysing and addressing global challenges such as climate change and the protection of democratic structures, all on a sound scientific basis.
The office is headed by Prof. Dr. Matthias Epple (University of Duisburg-Essen) as Scientific Director and Marcio Weichert as Managing Director. They note: ‘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 with its international networks.’
Prof. Dr. 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 significance 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 along with representatives from the São Paulo Research Foundation and the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science took part. The event included presentations 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.
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.