University of Passau and Chiang Mai: Collaboration with quality in focus!

University of Passau and Chiang Mai: Collaboration with quality in focus!

Dr. Michael de Jong, the managing director of the language center University of Passau, visited at the beginning of March Chiang Mai University in Thailand. The aim of his visit was to deepen the cooperation between the two universities, which are already linked by a cooperation agreement. In recent years, various tandem projects and other forms of collaboration have been successfully implemented.

During his visit, Dr. de Jong with Dr. Tanyapon Phongphio, the Assistant Dean for Global Mission, and Dr. Chawadon Ketkaew, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, about future collaboration. The topics included the exchange of students and lecturers as well as the intensification of joint projects. Dr. Chalit Durongphan, who supports the Chairs of Development Policy and Critical Development Research in Southeast Asia, also played a key role in the discussions.

Expansion of cooperation

The Language Center at the University of Passau offers Thai language with permanent staff, which guarantees high quality standards. The discussions surrounding the visit pointed to a promising, more intensive form of cooperation in the future. These steps fit into the larger context of increased international university cooperation, which is particularly aimed at exchanges and joint projects between European and Asian universities. In 2013, the code for German university projects abroad was passed to ensure minimum qualitative and ethical requirements.

In addition to the University of Passau's initiatives, a language sharing project took place between the 2023/24 winter semester University of Bamberg and the University of Passau. Hybrid language courses enable students to take part in courses from both universities synchronously. This helps expand the course offerings and promote collaboration.

Practical language application and exchange

Another important step was the visit of lecturer Chalit Durongphan to the University of Bamberg on January 24, 2025, where he conducted oral examinations and offered a workshop on Thai tonality. Christine Drakew-Naperkowski, the head of the Bamberg Language Center, welcomed the personal exchange that introduces the learners to practical experience.

A remarkable moment was the visit of Bamberg student Xinran Sun to the University of Passau in mid-December 2024, where she actively participated in face-to-face classes. The deputy managing director of the Passau Language Center, Cristina Pontalti-Ehrhardt, emphasized the importance of direct student exchange. Students from both universities met in a Thai restaurant in Nuremberg to put their language skills into practice and try out what they had learned in an authentic setting.

The continuous promotion of exchange and the development of joint programs between universities reflect current trends in international higher education. The German university landscape is increasingly enriched by these international collaborations and designed in accordance with the standards of the code for German university projects abroad.