The University of Dschang played host to the German Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Dr Klaus Ludwig Keferstein, during a visit to the University on the 6thof June 2014 in a bid to foster better cooperative ties with the University of Dschang in the academic milieu. The visit which kick started with a colourful welcome display by the Dschang University community was marked by a working session at the Rectorate, a tour of the University campus, and a brief interaction with students of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences studying the German language, was under the auspices of the Rector of the University of Dschang, Prof Fomethe Anaclet. The Ambassador, expressed happiness to be in the University and propel the already existing bilateral relationship between Cameroon and Germany which dates back during the colonial era. His Excellency, reiterated the existing bilateral relations between the two countries in the socio-economic and political sector. Dr Klaus indicated satisfaction at the level of the interest Cameroonian students have in learning the German language and emphasized that Cameroon had the highest number in sub-Saharan African students studying in Germany with over 6000 students as compared to Nigeria with 700.
The Rector UDs and the Ambassador signing the golden book
Dr Klaus said there was great increase in cultural and academic relations between Cameroon and German Universities and expressed that more was still to be done. He added that the presence of the D.A.AD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst) German exchange services of Universities proves Cameroon's position is incontestably superior has it's the only African country with two German lectors (one in Yaoundé and other in Dschang) who assist in providing material for the effective learning of the language. The German Ambassador advised that such relations between the University and Germany would depend largely on sustaining the partnership already existing.
The German lector for UDs, Christine Twittmann, during the working session at the Rectorate informed the ambassador of numerous projects DAAD has for the Department of Applied Foreign languages and a guide in German of the town of Dschang for German Tourist. She assured the ambassador of total commitment both from lecturers and students to build the department to greater heights. It is worthnoting that the first PhD thesis to be defended in the department in the German language will soon be conducted by Minkeu Tcheulibou. The tour on campus witness visits to lecture halls, translation laboratory, presentation of didactic material, cyberium amongst others. This visit was crowned with a brief interactive session with the students.
PN