Strengthening the Partnership: Delegation from Košice University of Technology visits the University of Wuppertal
From left to right: Prof. Ing. Roman Cimbala, PhD. - Chairperson of the TUKE Academic Senate; Prof. Ing. Ján Piteľ, PhD. - Vice-Rector for International Relations and Mobilities; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gust, Vice-Rector for Third Mission and International Affairs at the University of Wuppertal; Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Tibor Krenický, PhD. - Vice-Dean for Science, Research and Doctoral Studies at the Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies; Assoc. Prof. Ing. Marianna Siničáková, PhD. - Head of the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Economics; Ing. Viliam Fedák, MBA - Project Manager at TUKE Division of International Relations and Mobility
The connection between the TUKE and the BUW dates back to the early 1980s - supported by the town twinning between Wuppertal and Košice that has existed since 1980 and the university cooperation initiated in 1982. This year's FISU Rhine-Ruhr World University Games provided a sporting and festive occasion to revitalise this long-standing partnership.
"The fact that we made a conscious decision in favour of Slovakia as part of 'Adopt a Delegation' was a decision with symbolic power. The historical and scientific connections between Wuppertal and Košice were a key motivation," emphasised Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peter Gust, Vice-Rector for Third Mission and International Affairs, at the reception for the guests on the Grifflenberg campus.
The visit focussed on an exchange on joint projects and future opportunities for cooperation in research, teaching and transfer. The Slovakian delegation met with representatives from the Schumpeter School of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Information Technology and Media Technology. In addition, a company visit to Heinz Berger Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG offered insights into the regional economy and potential points of contact for internships or technology transfer.
A cultural programme complemented the stay: guided tours of the Kunsthalle Barmen, visits to sporting competitions with Slovakian participation and a tour of the Schwebodrom made the connection between the city, university and guests tangible. Participation in official receptions by representatives from state and federal politics also emphasised the importance of the visit.
The delegation from Košice consisted of:
- Prof. Ing. Ján Piteľ, PhD, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Mobilities
- Prof. Ing. Roman Cimbala, PhD., Chairperson of the TUKE Academic Senate
- Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Tibor Krenický, PhD, Vice-Dean for Science, Research and Doctoral Studies, Faculty of Manufacturing Technologies
- Assoc. Prof. Ing. Marianna Siničáková, PhD, Head of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics
- Ing. Viliam Fedák, MBA, Project Manager, Division of International Relations and Mobility
Plans for the future include intensifying student exchanges within the Erasmus programme, arranging internships both in the Košice region and in the Bergisch city-triangle as well as joint applications for EU funding for academic events and research projects.
