Press release: Innovative in internationalisation
Nr. 212/2015 - 17.09.2015
Göttingen University receives European award
(pug) Göttingen University has received the "Institutional Award for Innovation in Internationalisation 2015" from the European Association for International Education (EAIE). The award was presented this week at the EAIE Annual Conference in Glasgow. This European prize rewards higher education institutions who have an outstanding internationalisation strategy and are forging innovative pathways in internationalisation.
The international awards committee found that Göttingen University has developed and implemented an outstanding and comprehensive internationalisation strategy in the past years, whilst at the same time, showing an understanding of internationalisation as a cross-sectional mission. The Georgia Augusta has advanced this mission in all areas. What particularly impressed the awards committee was the university's internationalisation strategy that envisions internationalisation as a mutual task of the entire Göttingen Campus, the university's close affiliation with the seven excellent non-university research institutions at the location along with its regional economic partners to be expanded in the coming years. The development of the currently benchmarked welcoming culture promoted by a joint Welcome Centre plays a special role, but also the further internationalisation of all curricula. The aim of this is to create the innovative brand "Göttingen University: Education for a Global World".
"The internationalisation of our University serves society in general as well as science in particular," explains Professor Hiltraud Casper-Hehne, Vice-President for International Affairs at Göttingen University. "We cannot cope with global challenges like climate change, demographic trends or fight the war on poverty without internationally networked research and activities. Moreover, students will be optimally prepared for their future tasks and responsibilities in a globalised world by means of internationally aligned teaching, collaborative work with international students and challenging academic fellowships abroad."
For University President Professor Ulrike Beisiegel, this award also reflects the success of her strategic decision to create a separate section for internationalisation within the Presidential Board. "This is the only way to implement such innovative work in a strategic, focused and professional manner," emphasises the President. "My thanks go to our Vice President Professor Casper-Hehne for her excellent commitment and to the International Office for their professional work."
"The success reflected in this award has also been achieved on the merits of the many staff members at our university - professors, employees and students - who have shown a dedicated conviction to internationalisation;" adds Professor Casper-Hehne. "Not least, our appreciation extends to our excellent and trusting partners, not only at the Göttingen Campus, but also abroad, without whom we would not have been as successful as we are today."
The EAIE Annual Conference is the most important conference on higher education in Europe with more than 5,000 experts from all over the world attending. This year, Göttingen University was given the opportunity to share its internationalisation concept with the expert communities. Past winners of this prestigious award include Coventry University, United Kingdom and the University of Helsinki, Finland. The winners are selected each year by an international awards and talent committee.
Contact address:
Professor Hiltraud Casper-Hehne
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
Vice-President for International Affairs
Wilhelmsplatz 1, 37073 Göttingen; phone: +49 (0)551 39-13110
E-mail: hiltraud.casper-hehne@zvw.uni-goettingen.de
Website: www.uni-goettingen.de/de/110984.html