The Latin America Office: A Bridge Between RWTH Business School and Latin America

A Strong Connection Between Aachen and Latin America

The Latin America Office was originally established for RWTH International Academy. Later, RWTH Business School recognized the great potential of this initiative and actively joined forces to further strengthen international exchange. The official starting point was a training program for 22 professors from ITESM (Tec de Monterrey, Mexico) in the field of electromobility, organized by RWTH International Academy.

Since then, the network has expanded significantly. Today, the office not only supports Mexico but also Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Brazil, with RWTH Business School particularly benefiting from these international connections.

The main goal is to attract talented students with excellent academic abilities. This target group is especially interested in engineering programs, technological innovations, and business and management studies. Many partnerships emerge through personal encounters, recommendations, and academic events.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The Latin America Office serves as a dynamic platform for exchanges between students, researchers, and universities. Strong connections have been established with prestigious institutions such as Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM) in Mexico, PUCP and UTEC in Peru, Universidad de la Sabana in Colombia, and Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. In Guatemala, the office works closely with Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, while in Brazil, visits have been made to Faculdade de Engenharia de Sorocaba (FACENS) and various PUCs.

These collaborations not only support student recruitment but also facilitate connections between faculty and researchers, making joint events and scholarship programs possible. The ITESM Alumni Scholarship, for example, offers talented graduates from this institution special funding opportunities at RWTH Business School.

The Importance of Personal Engagement

While virtual meetings are a valuable supplement, nothing can replace direct personal interaction. Melanie Ostfeld spends several weeks each semester visiting universities, delivering presentations, and providing one-on-one consultations with students. Events like EuroPosgrados are particularly insightful, offering firsthand experience of students’ interests as well as the challenges they face.

Personal relationships play a crucial role in Latin America. While formal agreements are the norm in Germany, informal discussions, trust, and mutual respect are essential in professional settings across Latin America. Melanie Ostfeld provides tailored consultations not only to universities but also to prospective students. These conversations not only build trust but also allow her to address students’ questions and concerns, helping them prepare for their journey to Aachen in the best possible way.

Challenges and Opportunities

The enthusiasm for RWTH Business School’s programs is high, but there are challenges. Financial constraints and geographical distance create barriers for many students. To address this, the Latin America Office is committed to expanding funding opportunities, working with scholarship providers such as CONACYT in Mexico, as well as local DAAD offices, and establishing partnerships with industry leaders.

A Network for the Future

The Latin America Office is more than just an academic interface. It is a vibrant network that connects people, cultures, and institutions. Latin American universities and businesses gain access to one of Europe’s leading hubs for technology and economic development.

Anyone interested in studying at RWTH Business School or establishing a partnership will not only find support, but also a dedicated team, passionate about opening new opportunities and building bridges between continents.