On 26–27 May 2026, a high-level delegation from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts (FH Dortmund) visited the University of the Basque Country (EHU) in Bilbao to further strengthen one of FH Dortmund’s most important international strategic partnerships. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel, Rector of FH Dortmund, together with Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers, Vice Rector for Studies, Teaching and International Relations, and Prof. Dr. Carsten Wolff, Director of IDiAL – Institute for the Digital Transformation of Application and Living Domains.
For many years, EHU’s Faculty of Engineering has been one of FH Dortmund’s closest and most trusted academic partners. The cooperation extends far beyond student mobility and forms the foundation of numerous joint educational and research initiatives. Within the EuroPIM consortium, both institutions have jointly developed innovative international study programmes, Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), Erasmus+ projects, and collaborative teaching formats. The Faculty of Engineering is also home to the EuroMPM Double Degree programme, while several European cooperation projects have been successfully implemented together over the years. The visit therefore represented another important milestone in further developing this long-standing strategic partnership.
A central part of the programme was the meeting with representatives of the Faculty of Engineering and the International Vice Dean’s Office, where both institutions discussed the future development of their cooperation. The agenda included the continuation of the successful EuroPIM partnership, the further development of the EuroMPM Double Degree programme, ongoing Erasmus+ initiatives, and new opportunities for joint teaching, research, and international project development. Although the formal signing of the updated Double Degree agreement could not be completed during the visit due to final administrative coordination, the discussions successfully prepared the final agreement, which has since been signed by both universities.
Building on this well-established partnership, the delegation also created new opportunities for cooperation beyond the Faculty of Engineering. Representatives of FH Dortmund’s Faculty of Business Studies met with colleagues from EHU’s Faculty of Business and Economics and its International Office to explore future collaboration. These discussions resulted in promising prospects for expanding student exchange and academic cooperation, demonstrating how long-standing strategic partnerships can create new opportunities across different faculties and disciplines within both universities.
Another important part of the visit was the exchange with representatives of the City of Bilbao and its International Office. Both sides expressed a strong interest in intensifying cooperation between the cities of Bilbao and Dortmund in the fields of higher education, innovation, and internationalisation. As a next step, both parties agreed that future discussions should also involve representatives of the City of Dortmund, opening new perspectives for institutional collaboration beyond the university sector.
The delegation also visited the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing in Aeronautics (CFAA) at the Bizkaia Technology Park, where they were personally welcomed by Prof. Dr. L. Norberto López de Lacalle, Director of the CFAA, together with Dr. Edwar Leonardo Sastoque Pinilla, a former doctoral researcher at EHU and long-standing collaborator of FH Dortmund. During an extensive tour of the research facilities and strategic discussions, the delegation gained valuable insights into the CFAA’s internationally recognised model of combining academic research, industrial collaboration, and technology transfer. With more than 120 industrial partners, the centre is internationally recognised for its work in advanced manufacturing, digital production technologies, artificial intelligence for sustainable manufacturing, and aerospace engineering.
The visit also opened new perspectives for future scientific collaboration between FH Dortmund, EHU, and the CFAA. Both institutions expressed a strong mutual interest in expanding joint research activities, particularly in advanced manufacturing technologies, digital engineering, artificial intelligence, and European research projects. These discussions demonstrated the significant potential for combining the complementary strengths of both universities in future international research initiatives.
The delegation visit once again highlighted the strategic importance of the long-standing partnership between FH Dortmund and EHU. Over many years, the cooperation has developed into a comprehensive alliance that combines international education, applied research, European project development, and institutional cooperation. It also demonstrates how established partnerships such as EuroPIM not only generate successful joint programmes and research projects but also create new opportunities for collaboration across faculties, institutions, industry, and regional stakeholders—continuously strengthening the international profile of FH Dortmund and opening new perspectives for the entire university community.
