University of Giessen presented with a medal to celebrate fifty years of partnership

Joybrato Mukherjee, dean of the Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany, and Pablo Navas, dean of the Universidad de los Andes, renewed the agreement for interinstitutional cooperation that was signed for the first time fifty years ago.

purpose of the agreement is to continue promoting international exchanges and collaboration in research and teaching as well as developing projects the universities are working on together. Since the agreement was initially signed in 1967, more than fifty students and teachers from Uniandes have had the opportunity to benefit from the quality education that this university has to offer and have been exposed to the immensely rich German culture and its traditions.

This collaboration agreement is the oldest that has been formally reported between a German university and a Latin American one. Ever since it was signed, the two institutions have continuously worked together for scientific and academic development in Colombia.

The exchange agreement currently runs each semester for all programs the university offers at both undergraduate and Master’s levels. In order to apply, students should at least be in the second year of their degree, have a knowledge of German, and be academically excellent; these elements are considered to be key in order for them to have a successful exchange experience.

Yadira Mogollón, head of mobility in the Directorate for Internationalization at Los Andes believes that participating in an exchange is an experience that has steered the lives of some students. “We have had cases of students who, after an exchange, have taken a new direction. Without doubt, this experience significantly contributes to personal, academic, and professional development.”

During the agreement renewal ceremony, the Universidad de los Andes awarded the University of Giessen with the ‘Uniandes Medal of Distinction”. This award was established to highlight the work of either people or national or international institutions that have significantly contributed to collective-welfare in both academic and extra-academic areas.