Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences is one of 10 science institutions within the city of Darmstadt, Germany, and focuses on combining traditional and innovative courses of study with a variety of interdisciplinary elements. The university itself is as large as the city of Platteville and approximately 12 percent of its student population consists of international or exchange students. German university officials, representatives from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and staff members from James Cook University in Australia, recently re-signed a contract to continue the joint international master's (JIM) program in computer science offered across the globe at these institutions of higher learning.

Maria Overbeck-Larisch, chancellor; Hans-Peter Wiedling, dean for the computer science department; and Lucia Koch, director of foreign affairs from the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, visited UWP to complete the renewal agreement.

"It's important for students to feel comfortable leaving their country to learn about how the world works and other university students live. It's also important for us to offer the opportunity to participate in international programs like this, where courses are offered completely in English," said Overbeck-Larisch.

Added UWP dean for the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science, Rich Shultz, "JIM is intended to prepare students for a technical career in computer science with an understanding of how the profession is influenced by and operates in a global environment; a perspective which is essential in today's world."

The initial contract establishing a two-year JIM program was completed in 2003, but was redesigned to fit with recent changes in German university rules. Commented Wiedling, "This second contract renewal emphasizes the application of programs and adds more lab credits. It focuses on hands-on learning styles encouraged by both Darmstadt and UWP faculty."

"The idea is that students will start their education at one university, spend a second or third semester at a partner university and then return to their home university for the final semester to finish their thesis," added Overbeck-Larisch.

The visitors met with numerous UWP representatives from the UWP Foundation, alumni office and recruitment to learn more about the organization of American universities and discuss strategies for keeping in contact with students after graduation. The German university system is undergoing a plethora of changes. The term alumni was a completely foreign topic to them until about 10 years ago and until recently university students in Germany were not required to pay tuition. In the state of Hessen, where Darmstadt is located, a new law was passed which requires students to pay tuition beginning in the next academic year.

Overall the visiting officials were impressed with their trip and hospitality offered by UWP. Commented Overbeck-Larisch, "It was an extremely comfortable trip with lots of intense discussions which provided us with useful information. UWP is a beautiful campus and everyone we met with was well prepared."

"When the heads of our two institutions visit each other's campuses, our relationships are strengthened and we understand each other at a deeper level. In addition, we continue to learn from each other and can improve what we do at each institution by modeling some of the best practices from each other," summarized Shultz.

Contact: Rich Shultz, dean, College of EMS, (608) 342-1561, shultz@uwplatt.edu Prepared by: Rachael Lehr, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, lehrr@uwplatt.edu