Internationalization 2012

The University of Göttingen looks at the worldwide connection and the high level of attractiveness for international scientists as a boon for its research and teaching potential. To operate internationally means:

• to succeed in the international competition for the best scientists


• to locate attractive destinations and partners for research worldwide for our scientists


• to source and offer a wealth of opportunities for our students to study abroad.

In 2010, the University of Göttingen took part in the HRK (German Rector’s Conference) audit “Internationalisation of Universities” in order to define further measures and objectives of internationalisation in such a way as to form a consistent and complete strategy. In accordance with a primary set of priorities and with the objective of jump-starting the internationalisation process even before the passage of the entire university's internationalisation strategy, we built the framework "Internationalisation 2012" in summer of 2010, a project co-ordinated by the administrative department of Göttingen International and endowed with an amount of € 1.9 million. Its aim is to raise the University’s level of internationalisation to new heights. Among other measures, it is devoted to the development of an internationalisation strategy for the university as a whole, including ways to get non-university institutions involved.

For the purpose of developing an internationalisation strategy for the university as a whole and framing appropriate measures, five project groups have been formed:

• the group “Internationalisation of Research”


• the group “Internationalisation of Teaching and Graduate Schools"


• the group “Internationalisation of Faculties”


• the group “Internationalisation of Administration / Data Management”


• the group “International Marketing”

Another essential task of the project is to conceive and pass sets of schemes designed to aid all institutions with their internationalisation efforts, then set up calls for applications, select candidates, and realise and evaluate those schemes.

For the period of 2010-2012, various schemes have been conceived to promote the university's internationalisation strategy even before the passage of the internationalisation strategy. The current schemes are primarily geared towards promoting the internationalisation of the faculties, assistance with the implementation of English-language semesters and international courses of study, and the enhancement of outgoing mobility among the student population.

Information about the measures open for application can be found here.