Optional double degree studies in Thailand and Germany

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences and Assumption University of Thailand expand cooperation with double degree program option

Fresenius has been cooperating with the Assumption University of Thailand (AU) since 2018. The cooperation has now been expanded to include a double degree program at Master's level. Prof. Dr. Tobias Engelsleben, President of the University of Applied Sciences Fresenius, and Dr. Witsaroot Pariyaprasert, Director for MBA Programs at the AU, signed the Articulation Agreement at the end of February. Starting in the winter semester 2020/2021, AU students can use this program to earn an additional degree in Germany in the English-language International Business Management (M.A.) Master's program at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences.

Cologne. The aim of the cooperation is to further promote the academic exchange of students and lecturers and to strengthen the connection between the two institutions. The new double degree program enables Thai students to start their studies in Thailand and continue and complete them in Germany. The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences offers the International Business Management (M.A.) program in English at its locations in Berlin, Cologne and Munich. Upon successful completion of their master's thesis, the participants from Thailand earn an additional degree: In addition to the Master of Arts degree from Fresenius, they also receive an MBA from Bangkok.

"Every student looks ahead to his or her career while still studying. Additional qualifications are valuable, but earning two different master's degrees, being a generalist and a specialist at the same time - that's a unique advantage for a successful career. At the same time, it testifies to ambition and cosmopolitanism," explains Prof. Dr. Christian Lengfeld, Dean of Studies at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences and initiator of the cooperation. At the signing ceremony, he emphasized the advantages of studying at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: "We attach great importance to high-quality, practice-oriented teaching and research and encourage teamwork and networking among our students, lecturers and representatives from the business world".

"International experience is more important than ever for professional and personal development. With our internationalization strategy, we enable foreign students to study with us in Germany and our students in other countries. We are very pleased that by expanding our cooperation with the AU, we can expand our network of international cooperation partners and welcome and train guest students from Thailand here with us," said University President Prof. Dr. Tobias Engelsleben. Dr. Witsaroot Pariyaprasert was pleased about the expansion of the cooperation and considers Fresenius University of Applied Sciences with its many locations in Germany to be an important partner.

The cooperation with the Assumption University of Thailand is part of a series of successful collaborations between Fresenius and international universities on four different continents. In 2016, the productive cooperation with Berkeley College in New York was the basis for the establishment of a permanent Fresenius University of Applied Sciences location in the American metropolis. Study visits to New York, the University of Technology Sydney or the University of Shanghai are now an integral part of all English-language Bachelor's programs.