"In politically turbulent times, we can set an example through international partnerships like this one with Macquarie University – to show that there is more that unites us than divides us, and that we can achieve so much more together than alone," University President Prof. Oliver Günther, PhD, said. "I am confident that we can successfully continue our long and productive collaboration."
The University of Potsdam has a long-standing cooperation with Macquarie University, both in student exchanges and through joint research projects in English Studies, Social and Preventive Medicine, and Linguistics. Vice President Prof. Dr. Barbara Höhle said: "The doctoral program 'International Doctorate for Experimental Approaches to Language And Brain (IDEALAB)' in particular is a real flagship model. It has allowed us to supervise more than 60 joint doctorates with Macquarie University and the University of Groningen. The model can also be used to deepen cooperation in other disciplines and to support early-career researchers internationally."
With the signed MoUs, the two universities want to build on their successful collaboration and extend it to other disciplines, such as astrophysics or research into smart green cities. It seems that it is not just the Potsdam researchers who are interested in this. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sakkie Pretorius and his colleagues were clearly in favor of more in-depth cooperation in the areas that were presented and discussed.
As recently as April 2025, Prof. Oliver Günther visited several Australian universities together with Katharina Schmitt, Head of the International Office at the University of Potsdam. In addition to Macquarie University (Sydney), this visit included other long-standing partners such as the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University (Melbourne), and the University of Technology Sydney, as well as Monash University (Melbourne).
Photo: 2025_083_DelegationAustralien_KevinRyl-6360: The delegation from Macquarie University (Sydney) with the President of the University of Potsdam, Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D. (right) and the Head of the UP’s International Office, Katharina Schmitt (center). Photo: Kevin Ryl
Contact:
Marita Böhning, Senior Advisor for International Affairs / YERUN Coordinator
Phone: +49 331 977-4190
E-Mail: marita.boehninguuni-potsdampde
Media Information 11-09-2025 / No. 083