First joint meeting of FU Berlin and WWU Münster alumni takes place in São Paulo
On the evening of November 30th, around 30 former students, researchers and professors who were at some point in their academic career at WWU or Freie Universität Berlin gathered at the first Brazilian alumni meeting organized by the two universities. The joint event aimed to increase the alumni's range of contacts, through an informative program and extensive networking opportunities.
The event took place at the official residence of the German Consul General in São Paulo, who was represented at the time by the Vice-Consul General. Mr. Joseph Weiss. The host offered words of welcome emphasizing the importance of academic-scientific cooperation for international relations between Germany and Brazil.
Still at the opening of the event, the Rector of the Freie Universität Berlin, Prof. Dr. Günther Ziegler (by video) and the Scientific Director of the Brazil Centre of the WWU, Prof. Dr. Bernd Hellingrath (in person) pointed out the important milestones of the respective universities in the long-standing collaboration with Brazil. The event continued with lectures by the organizers – Laura Redondo and Christian Lazar, responsible for the regional offices of WWU and FU Berlin in São Paulo – and by the funding agencies DAAD, DFG and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, who pointed out the opportunities available to anyone who wants to reconnect with Münster or Berlin.
Considered strategic by the Brazil Centre, the maintenance of the alumni network proved to be a relevant tool for deepening and expanding relations between the WWU and the Brazilian academic community. ”More than just former students and researchers, our alumni are multipliers. From their stay in Germany, new opportunities may arise for future students and researchers, in a network in constant expansion”, said Laura Redondo. The WWU Annual Alumni Meeting in Brazil has traditionally been held since 2016. The first edition, when the alumni group was inaugurated, was also held at the residence of the then German Consul General, Mr. Axel Zeidler. Due to the pandemic, the last two meetings (2020 and 2021) took place virtually.
