Yesterday, the WORT project office was officially opened in the presence of State Secretary Carsten Feller in Schmalkalden town center. Many curious guests came to find out what is happening in the university's new premises.
The university wanted to be even more present in the city center, said university president Prof. Gundolf Baier in his welcoming address. "We deliberately chose this location to move even closer to the city," said Baier. This is not only a workplace for the project staff, but also a showcase for the citizens of the city. Mayor Thomas Kaminski was delighted with the new neighbors: "I am happy and proud that the university has moved into the neighborhood." Schmalkalden is currently home to over 1000 foreign students who need to be integrated. "We have to remove the inhibitions and encourage openness among all students," says Kaminski. With the new project office, a basis has been created for this to develop. "We have created a place where a network can develop. In his speech, Kaminski emphasized the importance of good cooperation. Many good initiatives have already been created to bring citizens and foreign students together. "I am happy and proud that we have such a university in our city."
In his welcoming speech, State Secretary for Science Carsten Feller addressed the enormous demand for skilled workers that needs to be met. There are already 1700 foreign doctors working in the Thuringian healthcare system alone. Without foreign specialists, the shortage of skilled workers could not be met and our prosperity would decline. This is what the WORT project stands for: attracting, retaining and integrating international specialists in southern Thuringia.
