The closeness of these ties among the student body is reflected in the fact that over 120 South Korean students are currently enrolled in Bonn. They received an invitation from the Rector of the University of Bonn, Professor Michael Hoch, to join him for a lunch meeting at the Rectorate in Dechenstraße on January 30.
Alongside Vice Rector for International Affairs Professor Birgit Ulrike Münch, Consul General Seungjae Huh, who heads up the Bonn Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, was on hand to welcome his compatriots. After brief welcoming speeches from Kai Sicks, Secretary General of the German Academic Exchange Service, and Frithjof A. Maennel from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the over 70 guests engaged in relaxed conversation in a convivial atmosphere accompanied by a sumptuous Korean buffet, a special gift from Consul General Huh. The participants also included Korean staff, researchers and teachers.
Rector Professor Hoch was delighted by how the event went: “As a University of Excellence, we’re constantly expanding our networks all over the world, and our interactions with South Korea are hugely important to us in this regard—including, and in particular, based on our two countries’ shared values and geo-strategic significance. Today has demonstrated in no uncertain terms how strong and vibrant our partnership is, and I’m looking forward to consolidating it further on all levels.”
