Despite geopolitical challenges, the Middle East and North Africa offer immense economic opportunities – especially for companies in Upper Franconia. Under the title “Opportunities instead of crises: Alliances for new markets”, the 10th EUROPA-FORUM will take place on Monday, October 20, 2025 from 5:15 pm – 9:00 pm at Hof University of Applied Sciences in room B023, Alfons-Goppel-Platz 1 in 95028 Hof. The free event, which is open to all interested parties, will take you through successful site openings in the Middle East and North Africa, behind-the-scenes insights into EU-Africa development cooperation and relationships between Hof researchers and North Africa.
Take the opportunity to discover new perspectives for international cooperation and expand your network!
Please register on Eventbrite at:
Opportunities instead of crises: Alliances for Common Markets in the Middle East, North Africa Tickets, Mon, Oct 20, 2025 at 5:15 PM | Eventbrite
is requested.
The program:
17:15: Welcome
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences
17:30: Middle East and North Africa: A Portrait
Prof. Dr. Peter Schäfer, Professor of European Law, Hof University of Applied Sciences
17:50: Keynote: Opportunities in the Near and Middle East: Prospects for SMEs
Helene Rang, Managing Director of the Near and Middle East Association and Chairwoman of the Board of the German Orient Institute
18:20: Keynote: Development Cooperation North Africa – EU
Sonia Fontaine, Head of the Regional Department North Africa GIZ
18:50: Textiles between Tunisia and Upper Franconia
Timo Piwonski, Managing Director, iprotex GmbH & Co.KG
7:05 p.m.: Hof research in North Africa
Prof. Dr.-Ing Valentin Plenk, Vice President Research, Development and Entrepreneurship, Hof University of Applied Sciences
19:20: Moderated discussion with panel and audience
Moderation: Matthias Will, Head of Business Department, Frankenpost Verlag
20:00 – 21.00 hrs:
Foyer exhibition & small snack
