Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is expanding its international partnerships to the Australian continent. At the NAFSA international higher education conference in Los Angeles, USA, President Dr Heide Naderer agreed on future close cooperation between the university and the Australian University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) in the state of Queensland.
The delegates from Kleve and Australia identified many similarities in their respective international profiles and range of degree programmes. Both universities attached great importance to promoting cross-faculty exchanges of academics, students and staff in the near future. To this end, Dr Heide Naderer and Prof. Robert Elliot, Pro Vice-Chancellor (International and Quality) at USC, signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’.
At the same time, a representative from USC was able to gain an insight into Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences during a visit to Kleve: Prof. Roland De Marco, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at USC, visited the campus and was impressed by the diverse range of programmes and the modern facilities. Professors and staff from the Faculties of Technology and Bionics and Life Sciences showed the guest round the various laboratories and facilities. Prof. De Marco emphasised the importance of swiftly bringing the new partnership to life and supporting reciprocal exchange programmes. This means that students at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences will in future be able to apply to spend a semester abroad at USC, whilst benefiting from a reduction in tuition fees.
