Internationalisation strategy of FAU

We regard internationalisation as essential to FAU’s mission and as integrated into international and intercultural aspects related to the four strategic areas of action: People, Education, Research and Outreach (P-E-R-O). The aim of the internationalisation process is to provide the best possible preparation for our students to face global challenges in science and society in the future, to win the best talent from abroad for FAU, and to forge excellent international research networks. FAU’s objective as a university with an outward-looking, international perspective thus lies in developing a multicultural community of students and staff. FAU provides the necessary basis for this in its curriculum and infrastructure in the four areas of action. FAU supports and develops international alliances and strategic partnerships with selected international universities, particularly in the area of its key research priorities. The prerequisite for such an excellent global network is the international visibility of FAU as a university which offers the entire spectrum of academic disciplines based in an attractive metropolitan region with strong ties to industry.

FAU has created vital structural foundations for the internationalisation process by setting up a Central Office for International Affairs, a Welcome Centre, an International Meeting Centre, a Graduate Centre, a central research database and a Language Centre. The administrative structures at the Faculties such as the International Office are also an integral part of the internationalisation process. After successfully taking part in the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) ‘Internationalisation of Universities’ Audit in 2010/2011, FAU is now undergoing a re-audit with the HRK, which evaluates the internationalisation concepts and the related measures and contributes to these measures being established. These measures also involve formulating and implementing an institutional language policy, which recognises the fundamental role of language for activities in an international environment. The entire internationalisation process follows the principle of equality and inclusion. By implementing the P-E-R-O areas of action and appointing Vice Presidents for each area, internationalisation has been established as an interdisciplinary area at FAU. Internationalisation is represented in the areas of action in the relevant areas of expertise on the Executive Board and in the Faculties (by the Vice Deans and International Offices) and communicated via the Commission for Internationalisation and in Faculty meetings. This enables the internationalisation process to be structured and put into operation both locally and centrally in a combined top-down and bottom-up process on the basis of outlined roadmaps and defined operational processes. This structure is supported by various personnel development measures on the administrative level.

Digitalisation is a decisive factor for successfully implementing internationalisation and is thus a central component of our internationalisation strategy.

The internationalisation concepts, objectives and measures are assigned to the P-E-R-O areas of action as follows :

People: The key objective is recruiting and promoting excellent international students and young researchers and administrative staff. The aim is to increase diversity, both culturally and generally, across the entire University.

The short-term goals involve:

1. increasing the percentage and attractiveness of degree programmes taught in English to attract a larger number of highly-qualified graduates from abroad, especially in the strongest research areas,
2. strengthening administrative focus on the needs of international audiences and international developments.

Education: Introducing and optimising international degree programmes, especially double-degree and joint-degree Master’s degree programmes, international cooperation in teaching in general as well as the mobility of incoming and outgoing students are the key concerns of education with an international focus.

The short-term goals involve:

1. expanding the international accessibility of FAU degree programmes and imparting international and intercultural skills to all FAU students,
2. increasing the percentage of qualified students from abroad and improving the processes for their selection, admission, supervision and integration into studies and the campus community.

Research: The focus here is on international research collaborations and international joint projects as well as establishing and optimising research infrastructures for international research projects. To this end, FAU coordinates programmes for its guests and partners and consolidates and internalises the welcoming culture it fosters for international researchers. International strategic partnerships are currently being established.

The short-term goals involve:

1. increasing the percentage of internationally renowned top researchers and highly qualified young researchers from abroad
2. using research priorities to improve FAU’s positioning and visibility.

Outreach: The international visibility of FAU is essential for the success of its internationalisation activities that aim to increase the attractiveness of the University in the context of innovation, start-ups, knowledge transfer to business and society as well as science communication.

The short-term goals involve:

1. expanding FAU’s international visibility and attractiveness to graduates,
2. strengthening cooperation between international business and politics and FAU.