'I am delighted at the opportunity to contribute my expertise to further intensify and consolidate the partnerships between Bavarian and Latin-American universities', said Professor Reutner. Her term of office on the executive board is three years.
Professor Ursula Reutner holds the Chair of Romance Languages and Cultures and has widely researched linguistics and culture in Latin America. Since 2009 she has co-ordinated Germany's only German-Argentine double degree programme with Universidad del Salvador. In 2018, she gained a doctor honoris causa from the same university.
The Bavarian University Centre for Latin America of Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (BAYLAT) promotes co-operation between Bavaria and countries in Latin and Central America in higher education, organises academic and information exchange and maintains numerous contacts in the region.
In the appointment letter, State Minister Kiechle wrote that the collaboration of experts in the committees of the university centre is, in the eyes of the Bavarian State Ministry, an important guarantor of quality and a highly welcome contribution to Bavaria as a place of science'.
The President of the University of Passau, Professor Carola Jungwirth, said: 'I congratulate my colleague Ursula Reutner for the appointment to the executive board of BAYLAT and wish to express my great pleasure at this recognition of her academic achievements that, at the same time, enhance the visibility of the University of Passau as a place for excellent research and teaching on the subject of Latin America in Bavaria'.