NC State Strengthens Global Ties in Denmark and Czech Republic
Embarking on an exciting journey of collaboration and exploration, NC State has been busy fostering global partnerships in Denmark and Czech Republic. From Denmark’s wind energy leadership to Prague’s growing academic and industry connections, our representatives continued building on shared interests. We established a strategic partnership with the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), opening doors to groundbreaking research and impactful solutions. In Prague, we strengthened relationships, expanded faculty engagement opportunities, and provided students with unforgettable real-world experiences. NC State’s global endeavors reinforce its position as a leader in cultivating global collaborations and preparing students for a dynamic future.
NC State’s commitment to fostering global partnerships and collaboration advances with recent visits and meetings to university and industry partners in Denmark. These visits were led by Mark Schmidt, Associate Vice Chancellor, Partnerships; Jonathan Horowitz, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Infrastructure and Development; Steven Lommel, Associate Dean and Director, NC Agricultural Research Service; and Sarah Olson, Director of Global Partnerships. This team had a full itinerary, visiting several universities and industry partners.
Exploring Denmark’s Wind Energy Leadership and Technological Innovations
Renowned for its significant wind power generation, Denmark played an important role in the delegation’s itinerary. With nearly half of its electricity produced by wind turbines, Denmark’s expertise in wind energy aligns closely with North Carolina’s vast potential in offshore wind power. Recognizing this shared focus, the state of North Carolina and Denmark established an agreement outlining collaborative efforts in renewable energy.
In Denmark, NC State representatives visited several notable sites, including industry partners Novo Nordisk, Helix Lab, Kalundborg Symbiosis and the BioInnovation Institute. These visits provided firsthand insights into Denmark’s cutting-edge manufacturing and scientific research advancements. Furthermore, the team visited Aarhus University, Lund University, University of Copenhagen and DTU. Chancellor Randy Woodson’s visit to DTU showcased his compelling talk on NC State’s renowned “Think and Do” mindset.
The visit to Denmark culminated in a significant milestone as the chancellor signed a strategic partnership agreement with DTU. This agreement solidifies the collaborative efforts between NC State and DTU in addressing global grand challenges. The shared vision and expertise between the two institutions create opportunities for groundbreaking research, transformative initiatives, and impactful solutions.
These visits, encompassing industry and university partners, represent a comprehensive exploration of government, industry, foundation, and university collaborations. The diverse range of engagements offers a holistic understanding of the potential for amplified opportunities and further involvement with our Danish partners.
Strengthening Partnerships and Expanding Faculty Engagement Opportunities at NC State European Center in Prague
The Chancellor’s journey continued to Prague, where he and other NC State representatives met with the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU) and Charles University.The NC State European Center hosted a luncheon for all the Czech university and industry partners, and the chancellor met with the center’s faculty members to show gratitude for all the work they do with our study abroad students.
The recent NC State delegation visit to Prague focused on strengthening relationships with academic and industry partners and fostering faculty engagement opportunities. As this was the chancellor’s first visit to the center in five years, his presence was highly anticipated. He kicked off the orientation for its largest-ever cohort of summer students.
A crucial aspect of the center’s academic partnership focus is the strong connection with local academic institutions. NC State Prague actively promotes interaction with its esteemed partners, Charles University, Prague University of Economics and Business and CZU. Affirming these partnerships creates more opportunities for faculty, such as Alice Lee, Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, who completed a sabbatical in association with CZU.
Lee completed a two-semester project to improve teaching quality in higher education by developing and leading a series of seminars and workshops. These focused on introducing practices in student-centered teaching and learning and increasing opportunities for internationalization of students and faculty.
“My CZU colleagues were highly collaborative, and we had a productive academic year. I enjoyed interacting and learning from CZU students, gaining insight into a different educational model and context. This knowledge will improve my own teaching and scholarly efforts. I hope to bring my experience back to NC State in Raleigh and encourage more international collaborations among our teaching and research faculty. In the future, I will continue my work with CZU, expanding both student and faculty areas of interest.” says Lee.
While collaboration with these academic institutions is crucial, NC State Prague also values its industry partners, including Akkodis, Chapman Taylor, Czechinvest, Loxia, P-LAB, Quanti, SIC (Central Bohemian Innovation Center), Solek, Simpleway and Zentiva, to name a few, for providing internships to NC State students. Now in its second year, the internship program offers students valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields, complementing their study abroad experience and preparing them for successful careers.
The ongoing efforts to foster partnerships and expanded opportunities at NC State Prague signify the center’s commitment to excellence in global education and research. The center’s dedication to international research, collaboration, and engagement prepares students for the real world. The chancellor’s visit underscored NC State’s commitment to providing students with unparalleled educational opportunities and establishing lasting connections with academic and industry partners.
This post was originally published in Office of Global Engagement.
