New partnerships: UA Ruhr strengthens scientific commitment in Brazil!

New partnerships: UA Ruhr strengthens scientific commitment in Brazil!

On June 9, 2025, the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) opened its new liaison office in São Paulo, Brazil. This office is part of the effort to strengthen scientific exchange between the three member universities and their partner institutions in Latin America. The facility is located in the German Science and Innovation House (DWIH) in São Paulo, where coordination is carried out by the University of Duisburg-Essen. This new initiative follows a phase in which UA Ruhr already had a presence in Brazil from 2012 to 2019, before having to remain without a physical contact point between 2020 and 2024, although it continued to be digitally active. The university has had an on-site office again since April 2025, reports University of Duisburg-Essen.

“We are convinced that this office will play a central role in scientific cooperation,” explained the rectors of the member universities. Numerous guests were present at the opening, including representatives of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Research Foundation. Twelve Brazilian universities, as well as institutions such as the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo and the Sociedade Brasileira para o Progresso da Ciência, took part in the celebration. The event included discursive elements, with Prof. Dr. Sandra Almeida gave a keynote speech entitled “Opportunities and Challenges to Academic Freedom and Democracy”.

Expansion of activities in Latin America

The liaison office is intended not only to strengthen activities in Brazil, but also to keep an eye on the entire Latin America region. In the coming months, the UA Ruhr will take part in important events such as the DAAD Open Day in Rio de Janeiro and intensify cooperation with institutions in countries such as Colombia and Mexico, according to information from DWIH São Paulo.

In a memorandum of understanding, the university management of the UA Ruhr and the Federal University of Minas Gerais have agreed on a strategic partnership. This development follows a delegation trip in March 2025, where representatives from the University of Duisburg-Essen were already able to make contacts in Brazil. The internationalization of research and the exchange of students and researchers are the focus of these new partnerships.

Challenges of university cooperation

Despite the positive developments, scientific cooperation faces significant challenges. Authoritarian governments in many Latin American countries threaten academic freedom. The ongoing protests and economic instability are also making it more difficult to implement educational and research partnerships. According to a report by the DAAD This has become a pressing issue, particularly in recent years.

The importance of cross-border scientific exchange was recently underlined at an online event organized by the DAAD Competence Center for International Scientific Cooperation. DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee highlighted that collaboration is essential to gain scientific knowledge even in difficult times. Universities not only contribute to research, but also to political responsibility in global challenges.