Partner University Lakehead University
Lakehead University is a university in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, with which we have been collaborating since 2022. Lakehead University has a total of around 9,000 students, of whom approximately 20 per cent are international students. Around 1,200 students are enrolled in engineering programmes. The Electrical Engineering programme is also distinctive in that the first two years are very practice-oriented and lead to a technician qualification. It is also possible for technicians to transfer into the programme after the second year.
Thunder Bay itself is a small town with a population of around 120,000, which, from a Berlin perspective, appears at first glance to be situated very far inland in Canada. On closer inspection, however, a few distinctive features become apparent: Thunder Bay lies almost at the centre of Canada and has been the most important transport hub at least since the days of the fur traders around 1800. Today, Thunder Bay is one of the most important ports and transhipment centres for grain and oilseeds, which are delivered by rail from the west of the country and shipped via the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River all the way to Europe. This gives the city a strong industrial character and, with its large student population, offers an interesting environment. At the same time, of course, the whole of Canada is very multicultural and, particularly in the east with the major cities of Montreal and Toronto, has a distinctly European flavour. As a trading city close to the border, Thunder Bay is also heavily affected by the political situation in the USA and is more interested than ever in cooperation with Europe.
During my visit in September 2026, I was particularly impressed by the hospitality and the open, multicultural atmosphere at Lakehead University and throughout Canada. This diversity continued on campus and extended to the teaching staff as well. Also noteworthy were the information signs and signposts on campus, which are additionally inscribed in the Anishinabe indigenous language. For me, it was a real highlight to see how naturally diversity is integrated into everyday life there. Personally, I learnt a great deal about Canada today, as well as about the history of colonisation and the Indigenous population.
