University Alliance Ruhr

Cooperation with Latin American Universities

The University Alliance Ruhr, comprising its three universities in Bochum, Duisburg-Essen, and Dortmund, has intensified its collaboration with Latin American universities by signing a cooperation agreement. The new liaison office is based in São Paulo, Brazil, and aims to expand existing research partnerships, develop new ones, promote the mobility of students and researchers, and enhance the visibility of the University Alliance Ruhr in Latin America.

Science is international; it thrives on close global cooperation between universities and is sustained by intensive exchange among researchers. Under the leadership of the University of Duisburg-Essen, the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) is strengthening its strategic academic relations with Latin American universities through today’s signing of the cooperation agreement. Agreements have already been concluded with Brazilian universities, including internationally outstanding institutions in São Paulo (USP and UFABC), Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and Belo Horizonte (UFMG).

Professor Karen Shire, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at the University of Duisburg-Essen, comments on the new agreement: “The University Alliance Ruhr is expanding its strategic connections with Latin America at an ideal time. The MERCOSUR agreement is bringing Latin America and Europe closer together, which will also act as a driver for cooperation with excellent institutions in research and innovation.”

In June 2025, the leadership of the three universities in the UA Ruhr opened a new liaison office in São Paulo, Brazil. “The Liaison Office for Latin America and the Caribbean opens up a diverse region with great potential for cooperation – from rainforest ecology and particle accelerators to medical research. It is an ideal complement to the internationally networked University Alliance Ruhr,” explains Professor Matthias Epple, Academic Director of the liaison office.

Next steps

Professor Barbara Albert, Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen, states: “International academic cooperation offers the opportunity to find solutions to the global challenges of our time. Within UA Ruhr, we are particularly strong in environmental and water research, medicine and physics, which aligns well with our international partners in Latin America. I look forward to an exciting and successful collaboration for all involved.”

In 2026, UA Ruhr plans to further expand its network of partners in Latin America and the Caribbean. This also includes strengthening UA Ruhr’s visibility as a partner for science and innovation in the region, presenting funding opportunities for events, academic mobility, research projects, joint conferences and workshops, as well as activities in transfer and outreach, and research and study visits.