German delegation visits GCU to explore future collaboration

Senior German politician Clemens Hoch has visited GCU to learn more about our research expertise and explore opportunities for international collaboration.

Mr Hoch is Minister for Science, Further Education, and Health in the Rheinland-Pfalz region, a powerhouse of innovation in biotechnology, life sciences and energy.

He was part of a delegation visiting Scotland to build on a letter of intent signed by the Scottish Government and the Rheinland‑Pfalz Ministry in 2021. It set out plans to strengthen cooperation in key areas including education, culture and research.

In the same year, BioNTech - developed at the region’s University of Mainz - developed a COVID‑19 vaccine that generated €400 million for the Rheinland‑Pfalz Ministry (RLP). The money was reinvested in biotechnology and life sciences, and RLP has since expanded its research at its universities of applied sciences.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Mairi Watson said: “Glasgow Caledonian University was pleased to host Mr Hoch and the delegation of senior academics and politicians. Our world-class research delivers clear benefits to communities, the public sector and industry - something we share with the institutions that have helped Rhineland-Palatinate make a global impact.

“We explored how we might work together as part of a collaboration that will boost innovation and develop solutions to local and global challenges.  The collaboration will also offer our researchers and students exciting opportunities and fresh perspectives.”

Minister for Science, Further Education, and Health Clemens Hoch said: “In the field of science, the strengths of Glasgow Caledonian University and Rhineland-Palatinate are highly complementary. Our substantial commitment to fundamental research aligns closely with the University’s distinctive focus on applied research and its expertise in advancing scientific knowledge and academic practice, creating valuable opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning.

“It is a great honour to have been invited to Glasgow Caledonian University, and I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the kind invitation and for the valuable and inspiring exchange.

“I’m pleased to say that the exchange has helped us identify promising opportunities for cooperation between Glasgow Caledonian University and institutions across Rheinland-Pfalz. It has laid the groundwork for lasting partnerships that will strengthen academic excellence, deepen international collaboration and help drive scientific innovation.”

The delegation also visited Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, spending half a day exploring GCU.

Glasgow Caledonian’s Dr William Johnston, a Lecturer in the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, is already working with a research group at the region’s Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. He was awarded €201,000 last year by the RLP-funded BWG Biotech-Fellows International Programme. Learn more about the project.

Dr Alison McIntosh, Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange Services, said: “As the central service for Research & Innovation and Workforce Development, Research & Knowledge Exchange Services (RKES) was delighted to coordinate this visit and bring together our exceptional research expertise with international partners.

“We showcased our innovative health research with the delegation and explored how we can work together to build on our shared innovation and enterprise ambitions. We hope this meeting will be a catalyst to build new research collaborations, visiting professorships and student exchange.”