Mainz (GER), June 2025 - The German state of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) and Scotland have enjoyed a close relationship for many years. At the same time, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) has forged strong networks with numerous Scottish partners through its JGU Scotland HUB. In March 2021, the relevant Scottish and Rheinland-Pfalz ministries signed a Declaration of Intent to enhance collaboration in education, science, research, and culture. Now, the JGU Scotland HUB has initiated a pioneering education-related project called TEACHING SCOTLAND, aimed specifically at secondary school teachers in Rheinland-Pfalz.
"The purpose of TEACHING SCOTLAND is to raise awareness of the cultural and literary richness and diversity of Scotland during secondary-level English lessons in Rheinland-Pfalz. The new initiative encourages teachers to explore what Scotland has to offer and to prepare teaching resources that reflect their enthusiasm for Scottish topics.", emphasized Dr. Dominik Wallerius and Hannah Mai of the JGU Scotland HUB.
Broad spectrum of academic collaborations with Scottish partners
"At the JGU Scotland HUB we can build upon valuable experience in establishing TEACHING SCOTLAND, for example with the virtual lecture series READING SCOTLAND, which we have been running successfully for many years," explains Professor Dr Sigrid Rieuwerts, Director of the JGU Scotland HUB and JGU Commissioner for Scotland. "Our READING SCOTLAND series regularly invites participants to virtual gatherings where we explore Scotland’s literature and culture together. By now, people interested in Scotland from all over the world are tuning in – especially when we host Scottish authors."
TEACHING SCOTLAND is part of the extensive range of activities undertaken by the JGU Scotland HUB, which has become the primary point of contact for Scotland-related research, academic collaboration, and cultural exchange in Rheinland-Pfalz. Since 2011, the JGU Scotland HUB has been arranging trainee positions at Scottish schools for German educational trainees in Mainz through its GET Across Borders programme.
The TEACHING SCOTLAND initiative is financed by the Scottish government’s Scottish Connections Fund that has been set up to support Scotland's international diaspora.
