A German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) selection commission made its decision in May 2009: Russia, Thailand, Chile and Columbia are the four countries where centres of excellence are to be set up this year in cooperation with German universities. The aim of the project is to network outstanding scientists and their work with university research and teaching in Germany: four academic cooperation projects which aim to provide fresh momentum for research and keep Germany in close touch with global top-level research. A total of two million euros a year has been earmarked for international centres of excellence up until 2014. An overview
Johann Wolfgang Goethe University
Frankfurt – Bangkok
Thammasat University
Frankfurt University is building up a centre for the rule of law and good governance at the Thammasat University in Bangkok, Thailand. With its 35,000 students, Frankfurt is one of the biggest universities in Germany – and one of its liveliest. The “House of Finance”, a think-tank for the international world of finance, was opened in 2009. www.uni-frankfurt.de
Heidelberg University
Heidelberg – Santiago de Chile
Universidad de Chile/Pontificia Universidad Católica
Heidelberg University is expanding its cooperation with the two Chilean universities established in the “Heidelberg Center for Latin America“ to include geo- and environmental science and astronomy. Heidelberg, probably the best-known German university in the world, is one of the country’s best.It was awarded the title “University of Excellence” in 2007. www.uni-heidelberg.de
Giessen University
Giessen – Santa Marta/Medellin/Cali
Universidad Nacional/Universidad de Antioquia/Universidad del Valle
Together with three Columbian universities and the University of Kiel, Giessen University is planning a centre for marine science in Santa Marta. Giessen University, which is over 400 years old, offers its 23,000 students an unusually broad choice of teaching and research ranging from human and veterinary medicine to agriculture and cultural studies. www.uni-giessen.de
Free University of Berlin
Berlin – St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg State University
Physics, chemistry and materials science are at the focus of the German-Russian Interdisciplinary Science Center (G-RISC), the centre of excellence at St. Petersburg State University. The Free University of Berlin is the German partner. The Free University, founded as late as 1948, has an excellent reputation worldwide. 16 percent of its 31,000 students come from abroad. www.fu-berlin.de
