Visit to the German Programme by Dr Anne-Marie Schleich
Her Excellency, Dr Anne-Marie Schleich, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, addressed approximately 80 students of the German Programme in May. Dr Schleich, whose four-year posting to New Zealand is ending in June, spoke to students about the benefits of learning foreign languages. She illustrated her comments with examples from her own personal and professional life. She also outlined the employment opportunities available to people with language skills in New Zealand, alluding in particular to the many branches of German firms and businesses here, which collectively employ approximately 10,400 local people. She then expanded on these matters more fully in a question and answer session.
During her time as German Ambassador to New Zealand, Dr Schleich has been a very active and valued supporter of the German Programme at Victoria University of Wellington. She instigated the German Ambassador`s Prize for Excellence, an award presented to the highest achiever in each of our German courses at a ceremony held at the Embassy each November. This award is very much appreciated by its recipients, who are often inspired because of this recognition to go on to study German at a higher level.