Globalization poses new challenges for universities today. There is competition for the best minds be it students, teachers or researchers. Universities need to prepare their students for an increasingly international network of employment. And even science, which has always been international, today relies more than ever on international networks. The University of Bonn systematically tackles these tasks by adopting an internationalization strategy and implementing it step by step.
As part of the HRK audit "Internationalization of Higher Education", an international commission of experts took a close look at the internationalization activities of the University of Bonn. At the University itself, a project group comprised of administration and science under the direction of the Vice Rector for International Affairs, Prof. Dr. med. Stephan Conermann, accompanied the audit. The Department of International Affairs took over the coordination of procedures. In a first step, the project group compiled a comprehensive self-report. This was followed by interviews with over 40 people from different areas of the University. Using this information, the experts distilled recommendations for the future internationalization of the University of Bonn.
In her report, the HRK advisory team at the University of Bonn attests very good conditions for further internationalization. The University of Bonn has already set the course with its six key profile areas and the principle of quality over quantity. For the internationalization advantageous structures and offers already exist. Outstanding research areas, the high number of grants awarded by the European Research Council (ERC) and the numerous AvH scholarships, as well as the international degree programs and the good results in the most important international university rankings, ensure international visibility.
Location advantage of Bonn
The experts also emphasized that the location of Bonn promotes the internationalization efforts of the University. In Bonn and the surrounding area, there are numerous science institutions, science funding organizations and other international and UN institutions - practically all are in close contact with the University.
The Rector of the University of Bonn, Prof. dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch, emphasizes: "We see internationalization as a cross-cutting task in which all departments and members of the University work and participate together." This was also confirmed by HRK reviewers. During the audit visit, it became clear that the international orientation of the University was supported by all major players and that the purpose of internationalization was recognized as an incentive for quality in science throughout the university. Prof. Hoch said: "In this strategy, we have defined how we want to strengthen the structural framework throughout the university, use our location advantage and anchor internationalization in research, study and teaching."
Contact:
Dr. Kai Sicks
Department of International Affairs
Tel. 0228 / 73-5950
E-Mail: ksicks@uni-bonn.de