For Günther, the trip marked his second visit to South America since 2016 and his first to Brazil. “These busy days full of meetings and impressions have shown just how diverse, important, and productive our cooperation with South America is,” he said. “I am confident that we will continue to expand these partnerships for the benefit of all involved. This will give future generations of students and researchers the opportunity to gain valuable academic experiences and launch important international research projects.”
Highlights of the visit included a reception hosted by the University of Potsdam at the German Consulate General in São Paulo and a meeting with Potsdam alumni in Buenos Aires. During the trip, agreements were signed to renew partnerships with the University of São Paulo (USP) and with Colégio Humboldt, a ZeLB partner school. Further agreements are under discussion with USP’s faculties of education, philosophy, and engineering. In addition, the University of Potsdam is planning to conclude a framework agreement with the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) that would expand existing collaborations with UBA’s faculties of natural sciences and philosophy.
Katharina Schmitt, head of the International Office and a member of the delegation, emphasized the long-standing and intensive nature of the university’s relationships with its Latin American partners. “The warm exchanges with representatives of our partner universities — including Uni Andes and the National University of Colombia (UNAL) in Bogotá, the National University of San Martín (UNSAM) and the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), as well as the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) and the University of São Paulo (USP) — demonstrated the strength of our cooperation, which is already reflected in numerous joint research projects,” she said. In many discussions, participants stressed that German universities are key partners for Latin America, particularly in areas such as digitalization, sustainability, knowledge transfer, and exchange at the doctoral and postdoctoral levels. From a German perspective, alongside the academic excellence of the institutions visited, the resilience and long-term stability of Latin America’s research system are key for further deepening these partnerships.
Photo 1: University of Potsdam delegation with representatives of partner institution UNICAMP (Campinas). Photo: Sven Dinklage
Photo 2: University of Potsdam President Oliver Günther and Rector Aluísio Segurado following the renewal of the partnership agreement between the universities of Potsdam and São Paulo (USP). Photo: Sven Dinklage
Photo 3: University of Potsdam President Oliver Günther speaks at a reception hosted by the university at the residence of the German Consul General in São Paulo. Photo: Sven Dinklage
Contact:
Dr. Silke Engel, Press Officer and Director of the University of Potsdam Press and Public Relations Department
Phone: +49 331 977-1496
E-Mail: presseuuni-potsdampde
Media information 03-12-2026 / No. 026