Crossing Cultures – Building Futures: Study Visit of RUAS in Bavaria
From April 28 to May 9, 2025, a delegation from Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences (RUAS), Bangalore,
visited Bavaria for a two-week study visit coordinated by BayIND. The program was funded by the DAAD and marked an important milestone in intercultural academic exchange. It also reflected the long-standing partnership between BayIND and RUAS: since 2022, the Faculty of Management and Commerce (FMC) has hosted BayIND’s Summer School participants in Bangalore.
The visit to Bavaria provided RUAS students with in-depth insights into the German higher education system, innovation landscape, economy, and historical context.
The program started in Munich with an official reception at the Consulate General of India. Consul General Shatrughna Sinha engaged in a lively discussion with the students, emphasizing the strength of Indo-German collaboration in education, research, and innovation. The first day continued with a visit to Circular Republic, where Matthias Ballweg shared valuable perspectives on sustainability and circular economy.
The group also visited Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences and attended different lectures on sustainable agriculture. Another Munich highlight was the visit to the IBM Innovation Center for Business Analytics and AI, where the students explored the role of artificial intelligence in business transformation.
In Nuremberg, the group explored start-up culture, innovation, and history. At START Nuremberg, participants developed their own pitch ideas and gained insight into local founder support structures. Later, at JOSEPHS – The Open Innovation Lab – a Design Dash workshop encouraged user-centered product development. The day also included a visit to the Documentation Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds, where the group reflected on Germany’s historical responsibility. A joint evening with BayIND alumni at the spring festival concluded the day.
Ingolstadt offered a rich academic program at Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), including campus tours, faculty introductions, and lectures on cost engineering and production management. A hands-on “Production Challenge” and a joint lecture on "Brain Circulation in India" with international master students enriched the experience.
The final stop was Hof University of Applied Sciences. University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Lehmann and the International Office welcomed the group. Students attended lectures on international economic topics, visited the MakerSpace, and joined a guest session by Prof. Sharath Kumar on returnee entrepreneurs in India. At NETZSCH in Selb, Dr. Jürgen Blumm introduced the company and its global leadership in engineering. Prof. Rausch and the student team of HofSpannung also shared their innovative work and insights.
BayIND expresses its sincere thanks to all participating institutions, especially the colleagues at the universities, for their outstanding commitment, warm hospitality, and the rich academic input. This visit clearly demonstrated the value of international academic mobility and exchange – and BayIND looks forward to the future collaborations and partnerships this visit has helped to spark.
