One week, participants from eleven countries and a common goal: expanding networks, exchanging research topics and developing ideas and projects together. In November, Ostfalia Vice-President Gert Bikker, professors of the Faculties of Public Health, Social Work and Transport-Sports-Tourism-Media and members of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer team travelled to the Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (IPS) in Portugal to participate in the International Week, representing Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences.

For the Ostfalia at the International Week (from left): Theresa Springer, Angelina Capelle, Kai Hillebrecht (all knowledge and technology transfer), Sandra Verena Müller (Faculty of Social Work), Gert Bikker (Vice President & Faculty of Computer Science), Brigitte Wotha (Faculty of Transportation-Sport-Tourism-Media). Martina Hasseler (Faculty of Public Health) is missing. Photo: Ostfalia

According to the theme “40th Anniversary of IPS – Creating networks for the next 40 years”, the IPS specifically invited partners from its existing network to the International Week – including Ostfalia. The two universities have already been working together since 2015. Gert Bikker and IPS Vice-President Susana Piçarra agreed to strive for an even closer cooperation. For example by the exchange of students and staff, but also by joint project initiatives.

How such projects could look like was demonstrated working on seven so-called “Round Tables” on the research topics Smart Cites, Education, Ageing, Additive Manufacturing, Agriculture 4.0, Risk, Vulnerability and Crisis Intervention and Sustainability/Circular Economy. In addition to the researchers, scientific staff, students, companies and regional actors from Portugal also participated in the workshops. Based on real tenders in the European funding programme Horizon 2020, they developed ideas in working groups on how to pool their expertise in a joint proposal. This work will be continued after the International Week and further researchers from both universities will be involved.

At the Round Tables, the participants jointly developed project ideas for current tenders. Photos: Ostfalia and GiCOM

Besides this active networking, the IPS team offered lectures on internationalisation at universities. Case studies invited the participants to look beyond their own national horizons and to derive best practices. Joint cultural activities completed the programme and helped not only to deepen contacts but also to get to know the country and its people.

A return visit of the IPS to the Ostfalia is planned for next year. Hooray for the next 40 years!

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