German visitors receive warm welcome

20/01/05

German visitors receive warm welcome

The Students’ Union was in the thick of activities staged to greet a delegation of dignitaries from Kingston’s German twin town Oldenburg late last year. The Union’s volunteer co-ordinator Catherine Attridge enlisted the help of Kingston graduate Anna-Lena Kleinert to prepare pupils from the Mount Primary School in New Malden for a concert staged in the visitors’ honour.

Anna, who has also studied in Oldenburg, taught the eight and nine year olds a German song to perform for members of the delegation, who included the Mayor of Oldenburg, Dietmar Schütz. The school’s arts and social development officer, Caroline Gupta, praised Anna for the excellent rapport she had established with the pupils. “Anna’s commitment and talent reflected the high standards we’ve come to expect from Kingston’s student volunteers,” she said.

Elsewhere in the borough, the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline Gipps, met up with her opposite number at Oldenburg University, Dr Marion Rieken. They used the opportunity to discuss links in such subject areas as fine art and sustainability. The universities’ relationship dates back to 2001 when Professor Gipps travelled to Oldenburg with representatives from Kingston Council.