University strengthens collaborations in Asia

How can Bielefeld University initiate new collaborations with high-profile partner universities in Asia and strengthen existing links in the region? To address these issues, Rector Professor Dr Angelika Epple and Professor Dr Michaela Vogt, vice rector for International Affairs, Diversity and Society, travelled to China and Japan in mid-June. They were accompanied by faculty representatives. The trip took them to a total of five universities in Shanghai and Hangzhou (China) as well as Osaka and Tokyo (Japan).

“We would like to collaborate in the long term with suitable, high-calibre universities in China and Japan and promote exchanges between our students and researchers. Both sides should be able to benefit from academic and cultural experiences at the very highest international level,” says Angelika Epple. “The face-to-face meetings with partners at the universities in Japan and China provided the starting point for exploring or even finalising new collaborations,” adds Michaela Vogt. The rector and vice rector were accompanied by Arina Deriugina from the Strategic Internationalisation team at Bielefeld University’s International Office.

The trip to Asia in pictures

© Bielefeld University

Michaela Vogt and Angelika Epple, accompanied by Paul Schrader, dean of the Faculty of Law at Bielefeld University, at the start of talks with representatives of Tongji University in Shanghai (China).

© Chinesisch-Deutsche Hochschule Tongji-Universität

In front of the Chinese-German University on the Tongji University campus (from left): Sven Klose (Chinese-German University), Paul Schrader, Michaela Vogt, Angelika Epple, Jan Harder and Dominik Sprenger (both from the Chinese-German University), Arina Deriugina and Xu Wenqing (Tongji University).

© Bielefeld University

The Bielefeld delegation visited the Shanghai University of Finance & Economics in China.

© Bielefeld University

Angelika Epple signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Zhirong Zhao, dean of the School of Public Affairs, at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou (China).

© Bielefeld University

Michaela Vogt and Angelika Epple, accompanied by Harald Gröger on the left, in conversation with the university management of the strategic partner university in Osaka (Japan).

© Bielefeld University

Kosuke Honda (right) shows Michaela Vogt, Harald Gröger and Angelika Epple round a laboratory at the International Centre of Biotechnology at the University of Osaka.

© Bielefeld University

Kenji Arima (dean of the College of Business) and Renta Nishihara (President of Rikkyo University), on the left, in conversation with Michaela Vogt, Angelika Epple and Hermann Jahnke from the Faculty of Business Administration and Economics at Bielefeld University (from left to right)

The first stop was Shanghai (China), where they visited the Shanghai University of Finance & Economics and Tongji University. Professor Dr Paul Schrader, dean of Bielefeld University’s Faculty of Law, accompanied the rector and the vice rector to discussions with partners in the Faculty of Law. The aim was to identify common ground in research and teaching in order to develop collaborations.

At the second stop, Zhejiang University in Hangzhou (China), the focus was on exchange programmes with academics and university representatives from the fields of biology and sociology. Professor Dr Joseph Hoffman from the Faculty of Biology at Bielefeld University was also present. Angelika Epple signed a joint Memorandum of Understanding with the partners in Hangzhou – a written declaration of intent by both parties for future cooperation.

At the third stop in Osaka (Japan), the delegation met with representatives of the strategic partner university. Angelika Epple and Michaela Vogt were accompanied by Professor Dr Harald Gröger from the Faculty of Chemistry, who initiated the existing cooperation in the Department of Chemistry and has been driving it forward for decades.

At the final stop, Rikkyo University in Tokyo (Japan), discussions took place within the Department of Economics. Professor Dr Hermann Jahnke from Bielefeld University’s Faculty of Business Administration and Economics accompanied the delegation on this leg of the journey. 

Strategic local presence

The trip follows on from the rectorate members’ tour of Asia in 2025 and continues the discussions initiated there. The rectorate’s trip underlines the strategic importance of partnerships in the Asian region.