The welcome ceremony not only marked the official start of the cooperation celebrations in Oldenburg. It also represented a milestone in the 25-year partnership with Nelson Mandela University, as a joint roadmap was signed for the first time by Vice-Chancellor Sibongile Muthwa and President Ralph Bruder.

The 2023-2028 roadmap provides an outline of how the various collaborative projects will be expanded and intensified in the different disciplines as well as on the interdisciplinary and central levels. All of these projects were represented at the event.

Another celebratory highlight of the day was a festive welcome dinner held in Oldenburg's Botanical Gardens. Professor Dirk Albach, the scientific director of the institution, provided the attendees with varied information about the history and culture of botanical gardens.

University of Oldenburg / Daniel Schmidt & Markus Hibbeler