Germany’s first Double Degree with China [06.04.05]
On the occasion of the Ambassador’s Reception:
The Rector of Hohenheim announces the first German Master’s course with Beijing
Chairman of the University Council, Professor Kleinert, pays tribute to Hohenheim’s pioneering role
The Universität Hohenheim is the first German university to plan a joint Master’s degree course with a university in China. This was confirmed by the Rector of the Universität Hohenheim, Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Liebig, at a Gala Dinner to mark the visit of the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Ma Canrong, to Hohenheim. There would be very strict admission criteria for this course of excellence, stated Prof. Dr. Liebig. Annually up to 50 Chinese students will be prepared for the Master’s in Hohenheim. So-called “offshore” degree courses are also being planned in Beijing, in the form of a Sino-German double degree, whereby Hohenheim students will be able to spend a substantial part of their degree course in Beijing. Since 2004, the Universität Hohenheim has been providing a joint “elite“ doctoral course with Germany’s first Sino-German Research Training Group.
“The Universität Hohenheim has played a pioneering role in our relations with Germany since the 70’s,“ explained the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Germany, Ma Canrong, at a joint dinner with the University Council of the Universität Hohenheim, members of the Rectorate, Chinese guests, academics and students and their Hohenheim research partners. “Last year with the Sino-German Research Training Group, you created the first course of its type. I very much hope that the University will continue to promote Sino-German relations.“
An important element in this will be the new course of excellence, with which the Universität Hohenheim will educate up to 50 Chinese students annually, quoted Rector Liebig from a Memorandum of Intention with Hohenheim’s’ Chinese partner, the China Agricultural University. Students on the international Master’s course would have to come from the top third of the ranking list, have an excellent knowledge of English and pass an admission examination in front of German and Chinese academics and scientists. Offshore foundations were also discussed, whereby Hohenheim lecturers would also provide teaching in Beijing.
“The objective of this cooperation is to create a Sino-German Double Degree, whereby German students will spend some of their degree course in Beijing,“ explained Rector Liebig. “There is a high level of demand for this in business. Someone who has first-hand knowledge of conditions in another country has immeasurable advantages on the job market and in politics.
The occasion of the Ambassador’s visit was the conferral of the China Friendship Award, China’s highest award for foreign citizens, to Prof. Dr. Liebig, Rector of the Universität Hohenheim. Dr. h.c. Matthias Kleinert, Chairman of the University Council of the Universität Hohenheim, explained to the Ambassador: “Your visit is the recognition by the up-and-coming economic power, that is China, of the first-class performance by this University,“ and he went on to assure him: “You are in the right place here to build yet further bridges.“
At the same time, the Chairman of the University Council also appealed to those present from Hohenheim: “We have a pioneering role to play here that no-one can dispute. My appeal is as follows: Continue working, as you are doing now and do not wait for requests from politicians. Remain the elite above the masses of mediocrity.“
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