Kettering University hosted German politicians and business leaders Thursday, Nov. 17. The visit to Kettering was part of an economic and educational exchange between the State of Michigan and the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.

Minister President Guenther H. Oettinger of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg, and his delegation, including representatives from the Ministry, German companies and the German press were welcomed to campus by Dr. Stan Liberty, Kettering president, at a reception at 3:30 p.m.

In addition to meeting with Kettering officials, Oettinger spoke with 23 German exchange students attending Kettering. The students are from the State of Baden- Wuerttemberg's Universities of Applied Sciences in Esslingen, Konstanz, Ulm and Reutlingen.

Prior to arriving at Kettering the delegation will met with representatives from Daimler/Chrysler at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills. Joining them was Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Auburn Hills Mayor Mari Harvey-Edwards.

In addition, Oettinger, with Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Robert Bosch Corporation officials, participated in a ground breaking ceremony for a new Bosch Research and Development Center in Plymouth, Mich.

Kettering and the Universities of Applied Sciences at Esslingen, Konstanz, Ulm and Reutlingen celebrated the tenth anniversary of their exchange program in September 2004. During the 10 years, more than 1,000 students have been exchanged between Kettering and the German universities.

Baden-Wuerttemberg:
Baden-Wuerttemberg has an export-oriented economy and a leading position in the field of science and technology. It borders with France to the west, Switzerland to the south and - across Lake Constance - with Austria. Baden-Wuerttemberg has a population of around 10.7 million and one of the highest per-capita income levels in Europe.

Baden-Wuerttemberg has established its own representative office in Brussels. This office maintains close contacts to the European Commission, the Council of Ministers, the European Parliament, the German Permanent Representation to the EU and other Brussels-based organizations.

It is a member of the Committee of Regions of the European Union, and is also represented in the Assembly of the Regions of Europe, in the Congress of European municipalities and Regions (in the European Council) and in many cross-border institutions.

Baden-Wuerttemberg has traditionally cultivated good relations with the states of Central and Eastern Europe. A program of exchanges exists between commercial enterprises, universities and schools, between associations, municipalities and on the private level.

The state has close links with the United States, which are kept permanently alive by the many US citizens in Baden-Wuerttemberg and by extremely close-knit contacts from the worlds of commerce and science. Links with developing countries also form a significant aspect of Baden-Wuerttemberg's foreign relations. The state supports cooperation projects in many key areas of development work.

Written by Dawn Hibbard
810-762-9865
dhibbard@kettering.edu