Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visits RWU

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn was a guest at Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences on Monday (26 June 2023). Also known as the Princess of Technology, the sister of the reigning Thai king showed interest in RWU's international range of studies and the model of trade teacher training. Two new cooperation agreements were signed during the visit.

RWU has been pursuing an internationalisation strategy for many years. Currently, 16 percent of the students come from abroad, mostly from Southeast Asia. RWU signed a cooperation agreement with the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT) in Thailand back in 2001. Since then, there has been an intensive student exchange between the two universities.

Expansion of the international study programme

The Thai delegation, which included Maha Chakri Sirindhorn as well as the Ambassador and Consul General of Thailand in Germany, were received at RWU by Rector Professor Dr. Thomas Spägele, Chair of the University Council Dr. Carolin Bischoff and the Vice-Rector for Research, International Affairs and Transfer, Professor Dr. Michael Pfeffer. "Their visit illustrates the close cooperation," said Lord Mayor Clemens Moll in his welcome, "a cooperation for the benefit of the education of young people in Thailand and Germany."

The high proportion of international students at RWU goes hand in hand with the English-language courses offered, which RWU has been expanding for several years. For example, the Bachelor's degree programmes in E-Mobility and Green Energy, Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, International Project Engineering and Physical Engineering are also offered in English. Another international Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics is currently being developed. The Master's in Mechatronics is already one of the most sought-after courses at RWU.

Focus on vocational teacher training

One focus of the cooperation with Thailand is on international vocational teacher training. Professor Dr. Thomas Schreier-Alt, head of the Automotive Engineering plus Teacher Training programme, presented the principle of dual training in Germany with its combination of practical training in companies and theoretical components in vocational schools. An important component of this system is the training of trade teachers, such as that which takes place in cooperation between RWU, the University of Education and the Weingarten Seminary.

Afterwards, Rector Thomas Spägele and Chairwoman of the University Council Carolin Bischoff signed two new cooperation agreements under the patronage of Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. RWU will cooperate with the Chitralada Technology Institute (CDTI), represented by its President Professor Dr Khunying Sumonta Promboon, in the future in engineering sciences and the training of trade teachers.

The contract with the Christian German School Chiang Mai (CSDC), whose graduates can also attend German-language courses at RWU due to their existing German language skills, is also aimed at close cooperation with RWU.

Focus on electromobility

After signing the Golden Book of the City of Weingarten, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and the Thai delegation visited the E-Mobility Laboratory. Professor Dr Benedikt Reick gave a tour of the new premises and demonstrated current work such as an autonomous bicycle load trailer or a research project to optimise the cooling of e-motors.

The presence of the Thai royal family underscores RWU's intensive ties to Asia. During the mutual exchange of numerous gifts, Maha Chakri Sirindhorn received, among other things, the international Maultaschen cookbook, which was developed by RWU students. Whether the princess will cook Swabian food in the future remained open. In any case, the name of the Swabian speciality already came easily to her lips.

Text: Christoph Oldenkotte

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