![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/ratio_2_3/public/assets/images/HE%20Dr%20Thomas%20Nader%2C%20Austrian%20Ambassador%20to%20Ireland%20and%20the%20statue%20of%20St%20George%2C%20gifted%20to%20MU%20by%20Empress%20Elisabeth%20of%20Austria.jpg?itok=axiEMJXk)
Staff and students in German were particularly delighted to welcome Dr Thomas Nader and Dr Josef Treml to Maynooth yesterday. After a lunch meeting with the Dean of Arts, Professor Colin Graham, Reverend Professor Michael Mullaney, Professor Valerie Heffernan, Austrian Lecturer Lisa Winter, Dr Linda Shortt (SMLLC) and Professor David Stifter (Early Irish) in the resident's refectory where they were able to view the silver statue of St George which Empress Elisabeth of Austria famously gifted to Maynooth after she was received there, Dr Nader and Dr Treml took time to talk to Erasmus students from Austrian partner Universities at Maynooth and students learning German. The discussion centred on the value and personal importance of intercultural exchanges, learning languages and living abroad, as well as the special partnerships between Ireland and Austria.
![](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/HE%20Dr%20Thomas%20Nader%2C%20Austrian%20Ambassador%20to%20Ireland%20and%20the%20statue%20of%20St%20George%2C%20gifted%20to%20MU%20by%20Empress%20Elisabeth%20of%20Austria.jpg?itok=AOAjy8tQ)
![HE Dr Thomas Nader, Austrian Ambassador to Ireland talking to SMLLC students at MU](https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/sites/default/files/styles/asset_image_full/public/assets/images/SMLLC%20students%20at%20MU.jpg?itok=gaOoVLTm)