The delegation was led by Prof. Julika Baumann Montecinos (Scientific Director, HFU International) together with the HFU.Cares project team (Katharina Hertfelder; Samantha Sernatinger, Yunuen Baron); Dr. Stefanie Scherr (Head of Global Services) and a group of three IBM students from HFU (Rosa Franke, Vivienne Frank, Tianjing Li).
Delegation visits European Rottal-Inn Campus
An HFU delegation visiting the international ECRI campus of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology in Pfarrkirchen at the beginning of October enjoyed an open exchange and exciting ideas for the development of a transcultural campus. The delegation, led by Prof. Julika Baumann Montecinos (Scientific Director, HFU International), received a very warm welcome in Pfarrkirchen and immediately felt the multicultural vibe of the university campus upon arrival. A colourful map of the world marks the countries of origin of all ECRI students; almost 600 students from 58 countries are studying there in the winter semester.
The exclusively English-language courses make the campus particularly attractive for international students. A family atmosphere and close ties between teachers, staff, and students from all over the world make it easy to settle in and feel at home at the study location in Pfarrkirchen. The delegation was able to experience firsthand how this intercultural microcosm on campus is also nurtured by the great commitment of the students at the joint event organised by the ECRI Art Club and RESP e.V.
The delegation's visit was accompanied by three students from the International Business Management (IBM) programme. Prof. Julika Baumann Montecinos sees student participation as a particular asset for the development of a transcultural campus concept for the HFU study location in Schwenningen, “Our mutual aim is to take a particularly open, creative and forward-looking approach to this project and to involve a wide range of internal and external stakeholders −who better to assist us with the design than our students themselves?”
During a campus tour, the delegation participants gained an insight into the diversity of topics covered in the areas of research and teaching: The Healthy and Sustainable Buildings Laboratory conducts research and teaching on sustainable building and living; the ECRI campus also focuses on the internationalisation of the health and tourism sectors as well as digital innovation in healthcare.
“The example of ECRI cannot simply be copied,” summarises Dr. Stefanie Scherr. “Nevertheless, here in Pfarrkirchen we have gained valuable insights for the further development of a transcultural campus concept at the HFU location in Schwenningen. Above all, we are grateful for this valuable and open exchange about the design possibilities and limitations of an international university campus.”