On 8 June 2026, OTH Regensburg welcomed the Indian Consul General Shatrughna Sinha to the campus for an official visit. The focus was on expanding academic cooperation between the university and Indian partner universities as well as personal dialogue with students and university representatives.
The Consul General was welcomed by OTH President Prof. Dr Ralph Schneider, Prof. Dr Birgit Rösel, Vice President for Studies and Teaching, Prof. Dr Oliver Steffens, Vice President for Research and International Affairs, and Prof. Dr Markus Westner, Commissioner for International Programme Development.
OTH Regensburg has been continuously expanding its cooperation with Indian universities since 2025. Numerous partnerships now exist in the Delhi and Bengaluru regions, among others. Further collaborations, for example with IIT Mandi, are in preparation. The basis for the selection of partners included recommendations from the DAAD and strategic thematic coordination.
Number of Indian students has increased fivefold
The development is also reflected in the student numbers: Since the winter semester 2021/22, the number of Indian students at OTH Regensburg has more than quintupled - from 68 in the winter semester 2021/22 to 327 in the winter semester 2025/26. Many students are enrolled in Master's degree programmes, but the Bachelor's degree programmes of the Regensburg model (International Computer Science, International Electrical Engineering and International Mechanical Engineering) with their curricularly integrated German language training are also in demand.
During his visit, Consul General Sinha also had the opportunity to talk to Indian students, including over lunch in the cafeteria. He was impressed by the integration of students at OTH Regensburg. Initiatives such as the student group "International Campus Friends", the Buddy Programme and comprehensive welcome and mentoring offers from the International Office make an important contribution to this.
OTH Regensburg's next delegation trip to India is already planned
In addition to the student exchange programme, the main focus is on cooperation in terms of content. Among other things, joint research projects, guest lectureships, summer schools and double degree programmes are planned and already being implemented. A further delegation trip to India is planned for October 2026.
"Close collaboration with Indian universities opens up a wide range of opportunities for our students, teaching staff and applied research. The Consul General's visit underlines the growing importance of these partnerships," emphasises Prof. Dr Markus Westner.
The visit was rounded off with a symbolic exchange of gifts between President Prof Dr Ralph Schneider and Consul General Shatrughna Sinha. As a souvenir, the Consul General received OTH honey and an art print of the Stone Bridge.
