The San Alberto Hurtado Campus of Universidad Rafael Landívar in Quetzaltenango hosted the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Guatemala, Hardy Boeckle, in a visit aimed at strengthening academic cooperation and supporting professional development opportunities for Guatemalan students.
During his visit, Ambassador Boeckle toured various campus facilities, including the library and laboratories. He also delivered a lecture to engineering and health sciences students in the Aula Magna. In his address, he highlighted educational opportunities available in Germany through different academic and training programs.
Ambassador Boeckle emphasized shared values between Germany and Guatemala: "Germany and Guatemala share fundamental values such as the conviction that education is a driver for development." He also spoke about circular migration, describing it as "a model that allows young people to study abroad and later return home with new professional skills to contribute to their communities’ well-being."
Claudia Hernández, director of the Quetzaltenango campus, encouraged students to embrace international learning experiences. “Many of you have already migrated from your places of origin to Quetzaltenango; you can take another step by considering migrating to Germany for your education. What happens today with the Ambassador’s visit is for you and because of you. The university reaffirms its commitment to offering opportunities that make these exchanges a reality,” Hernández said.
The event included a question-and-answer session between students and the ambassador. University officials stated that this exchange supports Universidad Rafael Landívar’s mission to provide high-level educational experiences that strengthen leadership, critical thinking, and service capacity among students.
After engaging with students, Ambassador Boeckle met with campus leadership to discuss future initiatives for expanding bilateral relations. Universidad Rafael Landívar maintains ongoing partnerships with German institutions through several cooperation programs, including those supported by KfW Development Bank.
According to university representatives, these efforts reflect Landívar’s strategic focus on internationalization—promoting alliances that enhance academic experiences and open new global opportunities for Guatemalan youth.
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