Das vierte Austausch-Treffen zum Forscher-Alumni-Programm an Universitäten fand im September 2018 an der Universität Siegen am Campus Unteres Schloss statt. Dafür waren Forscher-Alumni-Beauftrage von verschiedenen deutschen Universitäten angereist. Im Fokus stand der Erfahrungsaustausch über erfolgreich umgesetzte Maßnahmen der jeweiligen Forscher-Alumni-Programme sowie Fragen zur nachhaltigen Bindung der Forscher-Alumni an die Universitäten und zur Verstetigung der Programme.

Prof. Korakoch Attaviriyanupap has now completed her eighth research stay with Prof. Petra M. Vogel, chair of German linguistics at the University of Siegen. Korakoch, who is an associate Professor at the German department at Silpakorn University in Thailand, is focused on contrastive differences between the Thai and the German languages. Korakoch has been working closely together with Petra on various projects since 2009.

Dr. Efua Esaaba Agyire-Tettey is a lecturer at the Department of Social Work, University of Ghana. She holds a University of Siegen. Efua came to Siegen, thanks to the International Education Doctorate (INEDD) which advertised for doctoral students to come to Siegen from abroad, and provided them with help adjusting to their new country. Since completing her PhD, she continues to work with her PhD supervisor, Prof. Johannes Schädler, who manages the Center of Planning and Evaluation of Social Services (ZPE) at the University of Siegen. Efua and Johannes work together on a joint project which looks at the role of social work to promote inclusivity for people with disabilities in the Suhum district in Ghana.

Prof. Laura Black has arrived in Siegen from the American state of Montana, to work with Prof. Kerstin Ettl on a paper which looks at sensemaking and success of entrepreneurs. Both academics have benefited from their cooperation and are looking forward to presenting the results of their research to the scientific community.

Dr. Xiaoqiu Dou came to Siegen in 2016 as a Humboldt postdoctoral fellow. After 2 successful years she has returned from China to collaborate with other researchers in Prof. Schönherr’s Physical Chemistry I research group. Her projects include a new method to improve the effectiveness of drug testing, and utilising natural structures found in rose petals to improve the diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Dou has enjoyed her time in Siegen very much and there will hopefully be a permanent joint research program between Siegen and Dr. Dou’s home institution in Shanghai.

Three more guest researchers recently visited the University of Siegen to collaborate with scientists in different faculties.

Prof. Seyed Mohammadamin Emami has been coming to Siegen for many years to collaborate with Prof. Trettin, who leads the Institute for Buildings and Materials Chemistry. Together they are analysing ceramic samples from the Middle East in order to discover more about societies during earlier time periods. He finds Siegen to be improved with each visit, and hopes to come back again soon.

Prof. Page Laws is based at the R. C. Nusbaum Honors College at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia as Professor of English and Dean. Her research is focused in European and African views of America, and much on modern and post-modern fiction, drama and film. She also works on cultural Studies, often with a transnational emphasis. Her Research cooperation partner at the University of Siegen is Prof. Daniel Stein, North American Literary and Cultural Studies.

Prof. Andonaq Londo based at the energy department of the Polytechnic University of Tirana – Albania. with his cooperation Partner at the University of Siegen, Prof. Dr. Thomas Carolus, Chair of Hydrokinetic Flow Machines Institute of Fluid- and Thermodynamics, he is focused on common research field of energy and energy Efficiency.

For the first time, the "Day of International Visiting Scholars" took place at the University of Siegen on the 12th June, which the Research Alumni Program had organised in cooperation with the International Welcome Center and the University of Siegen's Alumni Association. The focus was on the exchange and research of international guest researchers and their Siegen hosts from all schools. The International Guest Researcher Day provided the setting for the third annual reception at the Welcome Center for international scientists and an appreciation of selected Siegen scientists for their commitment to international cooperation as well as their research collaborations with international scientists and a conference on science communication.