Research Mobility Promotes Academic Exchange Between University College Cork and Ruhr-Universität Bochum
November 5-10, 2024
Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC), a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Niall Duggan, Senior Lecturer in Government and Politics from University College Cork (UCC), through the Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement for Staff Mobility.
This collaboration not only fosters academic exchange but also strengthens the framework for cooperative European education initiatives supported by the UNIC (European University of Post-Industrial Cities) consortium, of which RUB is a member of this international network. In this context, RUB emphasises the importance of research mobility in enriching the academic and cultural dimensions of university life.
Dr. Duggan’s visit underscores the Erasmus+ programme’s dedication to expanding intellectual horizons through diverse teaching and research engagements. Over his stay, Dr. Duggan participated in various events, including a lecture, joint research and publication project, and AREA Day 2024 activities, each contributing to his commitment to promoting global knowledge and intercultural connections.
Lecture on African Agency in Geopolitical Times
On November 6, Dr. Duggan delivered a lecture titled, “African Agency in Geopolitical Times: Playing with EU and China Ontological Security,” at the Faculty of East Asian Studies, Ruhr-Universität Bochum. Attended by students, faculty, and researchers, the lecture explored the dynamics of African agency in the context of contemporary geopolitical shifts, particularly in relation to the European Union and China. Dr. Duggan presented an analysis of the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, launched in December 2021, which aims to bolster EU involvement in sectors such as infrastructure, green energy, and digitalisation. Drawing from his research, Dr. Duggan highlighted how African policymakers perceive and engage with the initiative, contrasting these perspectives with those on China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
AREA Day 2024 Participation: Spotlight on Taiwan
In addition to his lecture, Dr. Duggan actively participated in the annual AREA-Tag (AREA Day) on November 9. Initiated by the AREA Ruhr, AREA Day is dedicated to examining East Asia’s cultural and social impact in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), offering the public an enriching experience through lectures, cultural events, and guided tours. This year’s event, held at the Uni-Forum Ost (UFO) on RUB’s campus and co-organised with Taiwanherz, centered on “Taiwan: Culture, Cuisine, Community.”
AREA Day 2024 showcased showcased an engaging programme designed to connect the community with Taiwan’s diverse traditions. Attendees were welcomed with Taiwanese culinary delights, including bubble tea, and a variety of hands-on workshops. Activities spanned calligraphy, martial arts, ceramic painting, and traditional games like Chinese chess and mahjong, along with performances by a choir highlighting Taiwanese indigenous music. Dr. Duggan’s participation further exemplified the value of international research collaboration in bridging academic insights with public engagement.
Expanding the Horizons of European Education
The Erasmus+ Mobility Agreement, under which Dr. Duggan’s visit took place, supports the European Union’s goal of increasing scholarly exchange and cooperation across its member universities. Through CEAC, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, as well as UNIC’s European University of Post-Industrial Cities consortium, these mobility initiatives help foster collaborative research, teaching, and administrative development among European institutions.
CEAC contributes to research mobility and academic cooperation between Europe and Asia, and worldwide. CEAC works to encourage dialogue and interdisciplinary expertise, involving researchers from all around the world in its activities. We strongly believe that the intellectual life at the Centre is enriched by the academic and regional diversity of our guests. With the aim to contribute to academic development through international exchange, we accommodate academic faculty from other universities who wish to spend a period of time at CEAC, pursuing research on a particular topic related to the Centre’s purpose. Guests are invited to attend the Centre’s events, workshops, conferences, and colloquia.
By welcoming distinguished scholars like Dr. Duggan, CEAC and RUB continue to champion the importance of academic exchange and cross-cultural dialogue, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to a unified yet diverse academic environment.
