UNBC approves MOU to promote cultural, academic exchange with German University

UNBC students and faculty will soon have an opportunity to participate in exchanges with one of the oldest universities in Germany.

This week, UNBC’s Senate approved a memorandum of understanding with Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, which was founded in 1558.

“The world today is very much a global world,” says Blanca Schorcht, Dean of the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences. “Particularly those of us who live in some of the smaller centres, and I include Prince George in that, don’t always have the opportunity for exchanges further abroad, to New Zealand, to Germany, places like that.”

The MOU will promote an exchange of academics, research and culture. It will allow faculty and students from both universities to participate in programs at either school and will promote joint publications, conferences, teaching project and cultural programs.

Schorcht says it will be a great opportunity for students and staff to gain a different perspective.

“The interest in Canadian studies and seeing Canadian and North American studies from a European perspective might be very interesting for students coming from, particularly, northern British Columbia.”

Friedrich Schiller is more than 7,500 kilometers from Prince George but Schorcht says the two schools actually have quite a bit in common.

“The city in which the university is based is around the same size as Prince George is and it is in the former German Democratic Republic – faces some of the economic challenges that we do in our part of the world in a very different context.”

The MOU will last for three years, with an option to be renewed for another 3 at the end of that term.