Florida State University hosted Jens Hanefeld, the German ambassador to the United States, during his official visit to Tallahassee on January 23. The visit emphasized FSU’s expanding role in international research, education, and partnership.
Ambassador Hanefeld met with university administrators and participated in discussions with students, faculty, and staff. His trip included signing a Joint Declaration of Intent between the State of Florida and Germany aimed at encouraging strategic investment and strengthening economic ties.
“Florida and Germany are not just trading, we’re investing in each other’s futures, building jobs and cutting-edge technologies together,” said Hanefeld. “Florida State University stands out as a powerhouse of cutting-edge research, and this excellence has long resonated across the Atlantic.”
During his presentation at The Globe Auditorium, Hanefeld addressed topics such as global security challenges, energy dependency issues related to Russia, and career opportunities in foreign service. The session was introduced by Brad T. Gomez, associate professor and chair of FSU’s Department of Political Science.
Hanefeld has served in the German Federal Foreign Office since 1991 with roles both in Germany and abroad. He previously worked at embassies in Sofia and Washington D.C., held senior positions within the Foreign Office, joined Volkswagen Group as a senior vice president for policy from 2014 to 2024, and most recently served as ambassador to Ethiopia before being appointed ambassador to the U.S. in August 2025.
In his remarks at FSU, Hanefeld stressed the importance of collaboration between Florida and Germany. He noted that there is significant opportunity for Florida to increase exports in advanced manufacturing sectors as well as technology logistics and services.
“We need these collaborations,” he said. “The great challenges of our time—securing digital infrastructures, resilient supply chains for semiconductors, and breakthroughs in healthcare—cannot be solved by any single country alone.”
Germany is one of Florida’s largest foreign investors; about 200 German companies operate within the state employing around 40,000 people. Cooperation between Florida institutions like FSU and German partners helps foster economic growth while supporting academic exchanges.
Hanefeld also met with FSU administrators to discuss current partnerships with German universities and explore ways to strengthen or expand those connections.
“Institutional ties are complemented by vibrant academic exchanges with German universities,” said Hanefeld. “Together these collaborations highlight not only past successes but also the immense potential for future cooperation.”
FSU maintains exchange agreements with four German universities: Ludwig Maximilians University (Munich), University of Oldenburg, University of Wuppertal, and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management (Vallendar). This semester one German student is studying at FSU while three FSU students participate in programs abroad in Germany. Additional study abroad options include an intensive summer language program based in Dresden.
Five German student-athletes currently compete on Seminole athletic teams including swimming, tennis, and volleyball. The university also offers a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in German through its Department of Modern Languages.
A notable collaboration includes work by scientists at FSU’s National High Magnetic Field Laboratory who built a record-setting magnet for neutron scattering research used by Helmholtz Centre Berlin.
More information about FSU’s international initiatives can be found at global.fsu.edu.
“We need these collaborations,” he said. “The great challenges of our time—securing digital infrastructures, resilient supply chains for semiconductors, and breakthroughs in healthcare—cannot be solved by any single country alone.”
“Institutional ties are complemented by vibrant academic exchanges with German universities,” said Hanefeld. “Together these collaborations highlight not only past successes but also the immense potential for future cooperation.”
