Internationalisation Strategy of the University of Münster
International engagement is an essential component of research and teaching. It forms the backbone of excellence and competitiveness and enhances the attractiveness of Münster University as a place of research, study and employment.
Moreover, internationalisation contributes to intercultural dialogue and global understanding. In pursuit of achieving these key objectives, the University wishes to fulfil its responsibilities toward society.
In its internationalisation strategy, the University of Münster has defined its self-image as well as fifteen internationalisation goals within five fields of action.
Internationalisation Strategy (Download, editorially amended on 23 November 2013)
Implementing the Internationalisation Strategy
Overview and Status
To promote the internationalisation of the university strategically and structurally, the Rectorate Committee for Internationalisation, together with further members of the university community, has developed a catalogue of measures to implement the internationalisation strategy.
The International Office has been commissioned by the Rectorate to coordinate the implementation of the internationalisation measures. The measures will be successively implemented and evaluated.
The following list provides descriptions of measures from the five fields of action defined in the strategy as well as information on their current status: planned, in progress or completed.
International Research
Description Status Poject leader Support in the acquisition of prestigious international research collaborations
With the SAIL Programme, SAFIR raises awareness of the success factors for acquiring international projects at an early stage and teaches how early career researchers can strategically develop and expand their international scientific profile.🟡 Dept.6.1 – SAFIR Programme for doctoral students and postdocs to fund stays abroad
Doctoral candidates and postdocs (up to three years after their doctorate) can apply to SAFIR for funding from the SAIL Mobility Fund to carry out international research visits.🟡 Dept.6.1 – SAFIR Support for young researchers’ international projects
In consultation with the faculties, SAFIR will design a training programme to sensitise young researchers at an early stage to the success factors in acquiring international projects🟡 Dept. 6.1 – SAFIR International Visiting Scholars Programme
The Welcome Centre is extending its support for visiting researchers. At the same time, a concept will be developed to bring together central funding formats of the university, in order to promote the visibility of existing opportunities and the dialogue with academics.🔵 Welcome Centre International Teaching
Description Status Project leader Support for international teaching
The International Office is designing a pilot funding programme to support the development of a wider range of English-language courses. Interested departments can apply for lump sums for the expansion of English-language offerings in German-language degree programmes or the development of English-language degree programmes.🟡 International Office International Partnerships
Description Status Project Leader Partnership Management
The inclusion of international partnerships in the CRIS research portal will be continued, thus contributing to the transparency of research activities at the university.
🔵 International Office International Visibility and Profile Building
Description Status Project leader Internationally oriented public relations, communication and recruiting concept
In order to increase the international visibility of the university, a PR, communication and recruiting concept is to be developed over a period of two years.🔵 International Office International University in Administration, Services and Infrastructure
Description Status Project Lead Intercultural education
Students and staff are given the opportunity to further develop their intercultural competence in thematically diverse courses. The International Office offers courses in German and English.🟡 International Office Bilingualism in administration
In the period 2024-2026, the focus will be on the internationalisation of the examination offices (translation of relevant texts and further training of employees).🟡 Supportstelle Englisch Internationalisation officers in faculties and central facilities
The internationalisation of the university can be significantly strengthened by internationalisation officers. Through their involvement and the networking of the internationalisation officers of the central facilities and non-central units, goals and measures can be coordinated and synergies achieved.🔵 International Office
Status:
🔵 = planned 🟡 = in progress 🟢 = completed
Current projects & news
New funding opportunity for early career researchers to spend time abroad – the SAIL Mobility Fund
Doctoral candidates and postdocs up to three years after their doctorate who have little or no access to funding for stays abroad can apply to SAFIR for funding from the SAIL Mobility Fund to carry out international research visits.
The funding consists of a travel allowance; eligible costs include, for example, travel/flight and accommodation costs or conference fees.
Further information on the SAIL Mobility Fund and the funding guidelines can be found here.
University of Münster is an associate member of the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco
Since November 2023, the University of Münster is an associate member of the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco. The DWIH San Francisco promotes innovation and collaboration by planning and organising events on cutting-edge topics in the natural sciences and humanities as well as participating in conferences and career fairs. Due to its proximity to Silicon Valley, there is also a focus on entrepreneurship and start up companies.
The German Centres for Research and Innovation (DWIH) are an association of German science organisations, universities and the research-based economy. The aim of the association is to increase the visibility of German innovators worldwide.
Internationalisation at home: Workshop dates for 2024
What is intercultural competence? What is a culture shock? The International Office offers a wide range of intercultural training courses for all members of the University of Münster.
The current dates can be found here.
Contact and Information
You wish for more information? You would like to share ideas or have questions? Just send an e-mail to the following address: strategische.internationalisierung@uni-muenster.de.