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From Katrina Jordan Press release +49 851 509 1439

Fax +49 851 509 1433

E-mail communication @uni-passau.de

Date 15 June 2018

Deputy Consul General of visits the University

The Deputy Consul General of Thailand, Kamrob Palwatwichai, visited the University of Passau to get a first-hand glimpse of the Thai-German activities of the University.

The Deputy Consul General was welcomed by University President Carola Jungwirth, Vice President for Quality Management and Diversity Professor Jörg Fedtke, Vice President for Study, Teaching and International Matters Professor Daniela Wawra, Professor Rüdiger Korff (Chair of Southeast Asian Studies), Professor Ursula Reutner (Chair of Romance Languages and Cultures and Academic Director of the Language Centre) and Dr Michael de Jong (General Manager of the Language Centre).

Mr Palawatwichai informed himself of the current cooperative projects in research and teaching as well as opportunities for the University to further strengthen ties to universities and other institutions in Thailand.

During the visit, Vice President Wawra introduced the University's European Studies and International Cultural and Business Studies degree programmes. Another degree programme with a strong Southeast Asian Studies focus is the M.A. Development Studies, on which Professor Korff gave a presentation. This was followed by a presentation on the work of the Language Centre, delivered by Professor Reutner and Dr de Jong. The Language Centre teaches Thai at six proficiency levels; all Thai language courses naturally also teach students about Thai culture. Vice President Fedtke also presented the German-Southeast Asian Center of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance of Bangkok, in which the Faculty of Law of the University of Passau is involved.

The University of Passau has maintained excellent links with its Thai partners for many years. Currently, it has four active partnerships involving the exchange of students and academics, with University, Maejo University, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University and Thammasat University.

Press release – University of Passau – page 1 of 2

The Deputy General Consul presented a porcelain vase from Thailand as a gift. Seeing as his visit coincided with the festivities related to the University's 40th anniversary, he offered an additional gift: Thai dance and music performances in the Nikolakloster courtyard, and an opportunity for all visitors to sample typical Thai confectionery. Furthermore, the Language Centre was present with a stand on the Thai language and culture in the Nikolakloster building.

Editors: Please address your enquiries to the Media Relations Section, phone: +49 851 509 1439.

Press release – University of Passau – page 2 of 2