German satellite for University of Groningen

The University of Groningen is opening an auxiliary branch in the Marien Hospital in Papenburg (Germany). The University hopes that the satellite will accentuate and intensify cooperation with the border region. ‘We have a close and well-established relationship with Germany, which started with our first rector, Ubbo Emmius. Furthermore, we welcome large numbers of German students to our University every year’, says Sibrand Poppema, President of the Board of the University. ‘Our social role does not suddenly stop at the German border. Our aim is to power innovation in the North-German region and boost relations with the business sector.’

On Tuesday 17 September 2013 in Groningen, in the presence of the Mayors of Papenburg and Dörpen and the Chair of the Marien Hospital Board, agreements were made to open an auxiliary branch of the University of Groningen in Papenburg in the near future. ‘It will initially be a relatively small operation’, says Sibrand Poppema. The Groningen satellite will gradually be expanded under the watchful eye of Papenburg psychotherapist and RUG alumnus Harald Orfgen. ‘One of our ambitions is to see whether we can roll out the large-scale population study ‘LifeLines’, run by the UMCG, in Germany’, continues Poppema. A successful feasibility study has already been carried out.