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Minister Focusing on Danish-German University Cooperation in South Jutland

Last Friday, Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen invited Schleswig-Holstein's Science Minister Jost de Jager to a meeting at the Alsion campus in Sønderborg. The purpose was to discuss how cross-border cooperation on research and university education can be strengthened.

In this connection, Charlotte Sahl-Madsen said:

– Knowledge and education are the foundations for growth. The business community needs competent university graduates. With the ambition to create more growth in society – not least in South Jutland – I have taken the initiative for discussing future cooperative relations between the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and universities in Schleswig-Holstein.

Besides the two ministers, the meeting was also attended by Jens Oddershede, President of SDU, and Lutz Rainer Reuter, President of the University of Flensburg.

– It is essential to strengthen cooperative relations between Danish and international universities. For one thing, we need to cooperate with the very best partners, and for another, we need to increase students' international understanding. So it was my starting point for the meeting to discuss possible future ways of cooperating with the best universities throughout Schleswig-Holstein.

At the meeting, the Danish participants presented various models for cooperation within research and education. For example, an arrangement that will enable SDU to offer courses where students can have both a Danish and an international diploma and also giving SDU the option of increasingly offering study programmes south of Denmark's border. To SDU, this means a unique opportunity to attract even more international students.

– I am very satisfied with the meeting. We had a constructive and forward-looking dialogue. There was scope for visions and good objective assessments. A very fine atmosphere. It promises well for our future relations. But now SDU should take the next step and start up detailed descriptions. Here, the Science Ministry has promised to assist the Board of SDU.
– We have agreed to meet again after the summer holidays. In addition, Minister Jager and I have agreed to keep in close contact, seeing that all concerned are interested in finding the best possible solutions.

For further comments by Science Minister Charlotte Sahl-Madsen, please contact Communications Manager Anders Frandsen, tel. +45 40 75 33 24.