Susanne Rentzow-Vasu

Since 2008, I have been representing the Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst - DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) as the Director of its office in Singapore. The DAAD is the German national agency for the support of international academic cooperation with responsibilities in foreign cultural and academic policy. Its prime objective is the internationalization of research, teaching, and studies.

I held the post of Senior Policy Officer with the Delegation of the European Commission to Singapore and was responsible for the portfolio of Political Relations and Development (Higher Education, Science & Technology, and Development Cooperation). My main task was two-fold; to establish, maintain and expand various dialogue fora and networks to enhance the visibility of the EU in such areas towards various target groups within the host country and, to facilitate research cooperation and mobility.

I was hired to manage a newly founded research centre known as Wales in a Regional Europe (WIRE) in the UK. Based at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, I succeeded in profiling the centre amongst a target group of researchers and practitioners by creating a network of strategic partnerships with key institutions across Europe through joint research projects, academic conferences and widespread publication of the centre’s research output.