UTSA signs memorandum of understanding with Technical University-Darmstadt in Germany

(Oct. 27, 2017) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) signed a memorandum of understanding today to begin an exchange program with TU-Darmstadt in Germany. The MOU signing is part of a greater cultural mission between the City of San Antonio and the City of Darmstadt to build cultural and educational bridges through a sister cities agreement.  

The exchange agreement encompasses student mobility, joint faculty projects, collaborative research and academic cooperation between the two universities. UTSA and TU-Darmstadt have similar profiles in enrollment, academics and research. Additionally, both UTSA and TU-Darmstadt have the top cybersecurity programs in the United States and Germany, respectively.

“Partnerships such as this exchange agreement with TU Darmstadt are critical to UTSA’s commitment to being a world-engaged institution,” said Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mauli Agrawal. “For the benefit of our students and community, we must cooperate and collaborate across borders and across oceans to address the complex challenges of the future.”

UTSA representatives, Agrawal and René Zenteno, vice provost for international initiatives, will have the opportunity to visit the FraunHofer Secure Information Technology research institute, a German research organization with 69 institutes throughout Europe and seven centers in the U.S.

“As we prepare our students for a global workforce, exchanging ideas and expertise with some of the best of the best around the world is an exciting opportunity for UTSA,” Zenteno said. “This partnership will also support UTSA in becoming a globally recognized university.”

The city and university agreements aligns with the city’s economic development strategy, while strengthening cultural and educational ties.

“This is a groundbreaking agreement between the University of Texas at San Antonio and Technical University – Darmstadt that will bring a new level of global literacy to the next generation of leaders,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “Specifically, the memorandum of understanding will broaden educational exchanges with the prestigious research university and increase opportunities for exploring educational best practices that will lead to international collaboration. UTSA’s profile is growing among leading higher education institutions in the world, and this is another foundation stone in its pursuit of Tier One status.”

District 8 City Councilman Manny Pelaez also joins the delegation as a representative for the City of San Antonio and UTSA, which is in the district he represents.  

"The collaborative agreement between UTSA and TU Darmstadt falls in line with our goals of providing experience in international affairs and citizen diplomacy to our up-and-coming leaders," said Councilman Pelaez. "This new relationship will create an opportunity for our students to travel abroad, develop cross-cultural competence, and develop professional skills. Also, this agreement will give both institutions an opportunity to exchange faculty and research opportunities. Our goal is to add more robust learning and research opportunities for San Antonio students that will help us prepare the next generation of leaders to thrive and succeed." 

— Marissa Villa

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