Alumni Newsletter

from kaiserslautern
3. FROM KAISERSLAUTERN
Wissen schafft Integration -
Knowledge creates Integration
Africa
A colorful, rhytmic and vively presentation in
the Fruchthalle: „Camerun, Rwanda, Eritrea
and Tanzania - Roads to Kaiserslautern“
was the motto on the Africa evening. Music
and dances are activities that characterize
an African musical expression. The drum
playing group ‚Ikiyago‘ from Burundi showed
the power of their instruments.
United States of America
Partner - fellow citizens - friends. Dr.
Weichel, Lord Mayor, gave his thanks
to all people involved in the international
evenings during the year. This last event
in the scientific program amazed the
audience with entertaining performances.
There was the USAFE Band „Wings of
Dixie“, the „Elementary School Honor
Choir“ and the Soul musician W. Harding.
Inbetween short interviews with guests
the ‚Dancing Cheers‘, the ‚Pikes‘ and
‚Rope Skippers‘ earned much applause.
The importance of the German-American
Community Office, which helps Americans
to integrate in the German community,
was emphasized. Miniburger, muffins and
brownies were prepared for the guests.
Professor Nehmer, Technology Ambassador
of Kaiserslautern and organizer of the
evening, gave an overview of the partnership
between our university and the university
in Kigali, Rwandas capital city. African
students in Kaiserslautern appreciate the
nice people, good organisation, the excellent
reputation of the university, especially in
mathematics and computer science and
the cooperation with different nationalities.
Among the invited guests was Christine
Nkulikiyinka, Ambassador of Rwanda in
Germany. She said that it is hard for students
to return to Africa and find appropriate
jobs. But her country is still fighting to
be independent and therefore economic
support is very important. Well educated
students are asked to return to their home
country.
The african dance group of our university
showed impressive dancing.
Good news on the Mall
Looking back: Kaiserslauterns city council
had already passed a basic resolution
supporting the shopping center in April.
Not all citizens’ were convinced and
therefore formed an initiative called ‘Neue
Mitte Kaiserslautern’. Their concern was
the sale of the grounds to ECE (investor
for shopping centers). They started a
campaign and collected 8,236 legal
signatures for a survey. It was held on 23rd
of October. 76,504 persons were allowed
to vote. 28,947 persons participated
in voting, whereas 28,856 votes were
accepted. The majority of Kaiserslauterns
citizens, 19,166 persons, showed their
trust into the project and voted for the
construction of the Mall. This means that
the grounds will be sold. Dr. Weichel,
Lord Mayor, said: “It couldn’t have gone
better”. The start of the construction with
20,900 sqm is planned for spring 2013.