University President Prof. Peter Benz is thrilled to be hosting the project launch with international guests: »I’m delighted that we are embarking on the concrete implementation of our plans with the Alliance. The alliance is making an important contribution to the cultural and economic development of Thuringia with its approach to internationalisation, and also taking into account its positive regional effects. We aren’t just establishing new European connections for our university members – we’re also supporting our federal state to network with European partners in similar situations and evolving together.«

Over three days in March, nearly 70 project participants will get together to develop plans, get to know one another better, and get the first projects off the ground. The focal point of the first project phase is working out specific teaching formats and coordinating them between universities. In addition to existing exchange formats, work-related short-term stays are being planned as well as new, collaboratively organised and implemented »Joint Degree Programmes«.

The activities are deeply rooted in the respective countries’ organisation of studies. The credit point system, for example, which is used throughout Europe, makes it possible to recognise academic achievements. However, this will require establishing a new set of study regulations or adapting the current ones, which is a complex task. The members of the University Alliance are from nine different countries, which means that a correspondingly large number of education laws also apply. One of the Alliance’s many tasks is to streamline these procedures.

The content focal point is sustainable regional development and supporting participating institutions.  For Thuringia, this signifies major opportunities in the fields of skilled labour, intercultural cooperation, and networking within Europe. Thuringian project partner representatives, including the »Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft (LEG)«, the »Stiftung Baukultur« and the socio-cultural initiative »Culture Goes Europe«, have been invited to the evening reception on 11 March to discuss topics covered by the Alliance. Thuringian Minister of Education, Christian Tischner, is also expected to attend the event. The Thuringian Ministry of Education is an important project partner and strongly supports the project.

For questions, please contact the BAUHAUS4EU University Alliance project coordinators at the BAUHAUS4EU University Alliance: Dr. Christian Kästner, Director of the International Office, at christian.kaestner[at]uni-weimar.de, and Tonia Schmitz, Project Coordinator at tonia.schmitz[at]uni-weimar.de.