Eleven students from the USA are exploring the Ruhr metropolis of knowledge: as part of the Ruhr Fellowships, they are taking part in a two-week summer school and then completing internships with major employers in the region. The students, some of whom come from Ivy League schools in the USA, were warmly welcomed by Petra Günther, Head of the International Office at the University of Duisburg-Essen, on behalf of the UA Ruhr.

Since 2012, the UA Ruhr universities - TU Dortmund University, Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen - have welcomed students from selected partner universities every summer as part of the Ruhr Fellowship Program in cooperation with sponsors and companies in the region. "I am particularly pleased to welcome the students from the USA here today," emphasizes Petra Günther. The students come from various fields of study, including mechanical engineering, computer science and economics. They are currently studying at Harvard, MIT, Princeton University, Lehigh University and the University of Cincinnati.

First, the students take part in a summer school under the title "Transformation and Sustainability" at the three UA Ruhr universities. They then complete six-week internships with various employers in the region, such as Accenture, Emschergenossenschaft or Wirtschaftsförderung Dortmund.

"The Ruhr Fellowship is a unique opportunity for international exchange," emphasizes Prof. Karen Shire (Ph.D.), Vice-Rector for University Culture, Diversity & International Affairs at the University of Duisburg-Essen, who welcomed the students with a message. "I am delighted that our guests will be able to get to know the Ruhr knowledge metropolis and employers in the region and make contacts."

In return, UA Ruhr students will have the opportunity to complete internships and a summer school on the east coast of the USA as part of the Transatlantic Ruhr Fellowships.