For the first time, the Hochschule Niederrhein has formalised a partnership with a Japanese university. Following the signing of an agreement with Shimonoseki City University in Japan, HSNR students will be able to spend a semester abroad in Japan for the first time from the coming winter semester onwards. In return, students from Shimonoseki City University will come to the HSNR campuses in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach in future.
The agreements were signed by HSNR President Prof. Dr Susanne Meyer and Prof. Dr Takaaki Shochi, Vice-President for International Affairs at Shimonoseki City University, at the Mönchengladbach campus. Subsequent discussions focused on international exchange and regional engagement, which are particularly important to both partners. Special programmes, such as participation in a summer school for HSNR students, are also planned for the future. During a tour, Prof. Dr Shochi also familiarised himself with the university’s institutes, the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics and other university facilities.
Through this partnership, the Hochschule Niederrhein is further expanding its global network of partnerships. It already cooperates with over 130 universities across five continents. “We are very proud and grateful for this unique opportunity. It opens up entirely new, intercultural possibilities for our students. There is already huge interest amongst them in spending a semester abroad in Japan,” says University President Prof. Dr Susanne Meyer, expressing her delight at the partnership.
Shimonoseki City University, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, is attended by over 2,000 students across three faculties. During their semester abroad, HSNR students will undergo an apprenticeship in the areas of Business Administration and Economics, Data Science and Nursing. The university, located in the south-west of the island of Honshu, has a strong network and maintains partnerships in East, South-East and Central Asia, the USA and Europe.
