On 9 October 2024, the Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences celebrated the signing of a cooperation agreement with the East European University (EEU) in Tbilisi, Georgia. Three delegates from the EEU were present at the small ceremony, including the rector of the Georgian university, Prof. Dr. Kakhaber Lazarashvili. On the German side, the event was attended by the President of the Aschaffenburg UAS, Prof. Dr. Eva-Maria Beck-Meuth, Vice-President Prof. Dr. Ivo Schäfer, and Ernst Schulten, Head of the International and Career Office.
During the discussions, all participants explored in detail the possibilities of cooperating in the Master's programme "International Management". Prof. Dr. Davit Sikharulidze, Head of the Department of Scientific Research and Development, and Prof. Dr. Vasil Kikutadze, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Engineering, had a particularly lively discussion with Prof. Dr. Thomas Lauer, Head of the Master's Programme, who contributed his expertise via videoconference. Possibilities for joint short-term programmes and conferences that could benefit students from both universities were also discussed. The continuation of an already successful Summer School was also agreed. The signing ceremony was followed by a relaxed exchange of ideas and small gifts.
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EEU rector Prof. Dr. Lazarashvili (left) and Aschaffenburg UAS president Prof. Dr. Beck-Meuth signing the official documents.
The groundwork for the meeting on 9 October was laid several years ago, when the former vice-president of Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Holger Paschedag, took part in a speed-dating event aimed at establishing partnerships with Georgian universities. He returned with several memoranda of understanding for cooperation, including one from the Tbilisi Humanitarian Teaching University (THU). A key figure in the development of this collaboration was Prof. Dr. Nona Gelitashvili, who teaches at both THU and the East European University (EEU). It was through her that contact was established with EEU.
In July 2024, the two universities had organised a joint Summer School on the EEU campus in Tbilisi, initiated by THU. This Summer School proved to be a great success for all participants, including the students from Aschaffenburg UAS. This positive experience led to a desire for closer cooperation between the universities. In particular, the Business Faculty of the East European University sought to establish additional international partnerships, which ultimately led to the signing of the current cooperation agreement.
Image at the top (from left to right): Ernst Schulten (Head of International and Career Office, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr. Davit Sikharulidze (Head of the Department of Scientific Research and Development, EEU), Prof. Dr. Vasil Kikutadze (Dean of the Faculty of Business and Engineering, EEU), Prof. Dr. Kakhaber Lazarashvili (Rector of EEU), Prof. Dr. Eva-Maria Beck-Meuth (President of Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr. Ivo Schäfer (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Teaching, and International Relations, Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences).