Arkansas Tech University hosted 10 students and two faculty members from Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) University of Applied Sciences in Giessen, Germany, for a 10-day visit as part of a student exchange agreement between the two institutions.
“Globalization in the classroom is very important,” said Dr. Russell Jones, ATU acting interim president. “The world has changed so much. Even if they remain close to home, Arkansas Tech graduates are going to work with individuals from other cultures. We have to provide our students with an understanding of cultures and languages beyond their own. Partnerships such as this one with THM help us achieve that goal.”
The delegation from THM University of Applied Sciences participated in a variety of academic and cultural experiences during its visit to the United States. In addition to their time on campus at ATU, the THM representatives also visited the Arkansas State Capitol, northwest Arkansas and Memphis, Tenn.
Dr. Benjamin Löhr, professor at the THM Business School, and Heike Siebert, THM international exchange coordinator, led the group from Germany.
“ATU and THM have jointly built a great study program where students from both universities learn with and from each other while preparing for future professional realities,” said Löhr. “The performance of all students involved was outstanding and we are very proud of them. All the nicer to see that friendships have also developed between them. Also, on behalf of our students, Heike Siebert and I would like to thank all ATU members, especially Dr. Ahmed Elkassabgi and Gaby Haulmark, for giving us such a wonderful, exciting and exceptionally hospitable time here.”
Elkassabgi, ATU assistant professor of finance, and Haulmark, ATU director of international education and senior instructor of German, helped facilitate the THM representatives’ visit to America.
ATU and THM University of Applied Sciences signed a memorandum of understanding in 2018 that created a student exchange agreement between the two institutions.
As a result of the agreement, ATU students have opportunities to take business administration, business information systems, logistics management, information technology and systems engineering classes taught in English at THM University of Applied Sciences in Giessen.
Arkansas Tech students with an interest in study abroad or study away opportunities can learn more at www.atu.edu/studyabroad.
