The Baltic-German University Liaison Office

The Baltic-German University Liaison Office operates as a "German Center" in the Baltic States with the aim of facilitating the scientific cooperation and the academic exchange between Germany and the Baltic States.

The DAAD named this project the Baltic-German University Liaison Office. For one the aim was to show, that even thought the new project was settled in Latvia as the central country, Estonia and Lithuania shall be involved in long-term as well; for another, the term „Kontor”, which has its roots in the hanseatic trading language, was chosen to remind the existing close connection between the Baltic States and Germany. Now and then a „Kontor” wasn’t just a place for trading with goods but also with ideas. Through the diverse work of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office this historical relationship between the Baltic States and Germany shall be strengthen again, and create a space as well as a platform for mediation and encounter. The precursor of The Baltic-German University Liaison Office was the multilateral project „Eurofaculty”. 

The concept of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office was welcomed by the Ministry for Education and Science of Latvia as well as by both Riga’s Universities. In July 2004 an agreement was signed regarding the establishment of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office. It was determined that the Baltic-German University Liaison Office was administered together by the three founding institutions – the DAAD, University of Latvia and the Riga Technical University. At the ceremonial opening of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office in June 2005 the Ministry for Education, Science and Culture of the federal state Mecklenburg-Vorpmmern was added as a fourth partner to this project and additionally memorandum regarding the Baltic-German University Liaison Office was signed.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (On the picture from left to right: rector of the University of Latvia Prof. Lacis, DAAD General Secretary Dr. Bode, Minister Prof. Dr. Dr. Metelmann and rector of Rigas Technical University Prof. Knets) 

Institutions of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office:

• the DAAD Information Centre Riga

• Mecklenburg-West Pomerania University Information Office

• German Terminology Study Centre

• German Law Centre

• Institutional German studies partnerships

This place provides space for encounter and discussions, not only for scientists but for people from many different areas in society. In these years the Baltic-German University Liaison Office contributed with lectures and support of scientific projects crucial to the scientific cooperation between German and Baltic scientific institutions.

Moreover since 2010 a call for support of projects takes place twice a year. For evaluation of submitted applications, which can come from diverse areas of studies, an Advisory Board has been convened, which consists of German, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian professors.

The Baltic-German University Liaison Office offers further education activities relating to Germany and Europe, for students and young scientists plus for all others who are interested in these fields. Besides, it is a meeting place where scientists and personalities from politics and economy from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Germany come together and invite the society to discussions. Furthermore the scientific events, which are organized by the Baltic-German University Liaison Office, are pleased about a high popularity; especially the theme evenings have a strong appeal. A big emphasise is put on the lecturers, so that a German lecturer as well as at least one Baltic lecturer can examine the chosen topic from different perspectives, so that a broad overview is guaranteed.In the last 10 years more than 150 events with more than 6 000 participants were organized.

We can truly say that also in the next years the cooperation between Germany and the three Baltic States under the umbrella of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office will grow and strengthen steadily.

The Baltic-German University Liaison Office permanently invites people and different institutions from the Baltic Staates, who are willing to carry out a project and cooperation proposals. As an umbrella organization, the Baltic-German University Liaison Office welcomes every project and initiative of this kind as well as sponsors, that are willing to be our strategic partner and to support the further expansion and the infrastructure of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office.

The founders and sponsors of the Baltic-German University Liaison Office are the German Academic Exchange Service (from resources of Federal Foreign Office of Germany), the University of Latvia, the Riga Technical University and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.