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Various symbols and photos from research, displayed in a cloud against a black background. © UA Ruhr
International Exchange

Dialogue, Cooperation, and Joint Perspectives

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in
  • UA Ruhr
  • International
  • Values
Group photo © Michael Schwettmann
Representing the exchange with Georgia (from left): Prof. Dr. Zaal Andronikashvili from the Leibniz Center for Literary and Cultural Research in Berlin, Elena Resch, Director of the UA Ruhr’s Liaison Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Dr. Nina Lemmens, Executive Director of the UA Ruhr, Prof. Dr. Nino Doborjginidze, President of Ilia State University in Tbilisi, Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of RUB, Prof. Dr. Kornelia Freitag, Vice Rector for Teaching and Student Affairs at RUB, Prof. Dr. Giga Zedania, RUB alumnus and former Rector of Ilia State University, Prof. Dr. Karen Shire, Vice Rector for University Culture, Diversity, and International Affairs at UDE, Prof. Dr. Oliver Reisner from Ilia State University, and Dr. Olga Orlova, journalist and sociologist.
The University Alliance Ruhr and Ilia State University in Georgia are strengthening their collaboration.

Through the conference “Sustaining Academic Freedom: Ilia State University and its Academic Partnerships with Germany,” the University Alliance Ruhr, in collaboration with Ilia State University, brought together researchers, university administrators, and funding organizations from Germany and Georgia to discuss academic freedom, university autonomy, and the future of German-Georgian academic cooperation.

“Cooperation between universities is not only about research projects and student mobility; it is also about trust, dialogue, and long-term partnerships that endure beyond political circumstances,” said Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, in his opening remarks.

The conference demonstrated how important continuous academic exchange is, especially in times of political and societal challenges. Universities bear a special responsibility to maintain international cooperation, continue the dialogue, and support researchers in difficult circumstances.

Continuing the Dialogue
In addition to academic exchange, workshops were held to develop concrete prospects for future collaborations. A key outcome of the conference is the decision to continue the dialogue that has begun within a smaller initiative network. A joint virtual working meeting and another in-person meeting in Georgia are already planned for the coming months to further develop concrete collaboration projects and support measures together. 

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