Internationalisation Strategy
Since 2016 LUE has been continuously developing its internationalisation strategy. This strategy realigns the partnership network in priority regions and defines goals for the areas of study and teaching as well as research. In addition, it addresses the further coordination of internationalisation as a cross-sectional task.
The contact person for the Internationalisation Strategy is the Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs.
Link: I Strategy
As a pilot university, Ludwigsburg completed the HRK Audit on Internationalisation between 2016 and 2017. Thanks to the external expertise provided by the audit team, the strategy development process was professionalised.
The catalogue of recommendations by the audit team covered the following areas:
- strategic orientation of the university
- planning and development
- studying and teaching
- research and knowledge transfer
- counselling and support
Based on the recommendations, LUE adopted a catalogue of measures in 2017, which has been almost completely implemented. These include the implementation of a new recognition guideline, a new language concept, the establishment of a European partner network, more synergies between internationalisation in teaching, studies and research, and the expansion of staff mobility through Staff Training Weeks, among other things.
In June 2018, LUE developed a languages plan that is tailored to the needs of a multicultural society with a culture of multilingualism. The respective fields of action are as follows
- language instruction and the respective didactics in the three languages taught at LUE: German, English and French
- the acquisition of foreign languages by LUE students
- the teaching of German to incoming international students.
Central actors are the three languages institutes (English, French, German), to which the Language Teaching Centre is affiliated, and the International Office. The International Office is primarily responsible for the expansion of English-language courses (including European Studies).
LUE revised its recognition process in the years 2017 to 2019 - among other things as part of a consultation with the HRK Nexus Team. A preliminary discussion and a consultation visit took place on 13th December 2017. Subsequently, a working group on recognition was formed, which developed a guideline. The presentation to the Senate took place on 2nd May 2019. The credit transfer guidelines create transparency for students by outlining the process and naming contact persons and responsibilities. The principle of “essential difference” has been established in the sense that equivalence is now recognised unless there is an essential difference between LUE and exchange university requirements. Credit transfer has been additionally facilitated by subject coordinators only having to make recognition decisions related to module examinations. Below the module level, recognition takes place directly via the Examinations Office in cooperation with the International Office.
The INVITE project, "International Networking for Virtually Improved Teacher Education", funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, will implement key components of the internationalisation strategy and the “HRK Audit kompakt” action plan in the years 2021 to 2024. The project is intended to internationalise teacher training at LUE through, among other things, more flexible stays abroad or virtual mobility, an English-language semester programme and improved opportunities for teaching internships at schools abroad. Initially, a virtual teaching network will be set up with the - predominantly European - partner universities, so that LUE’s European partnerships can also be further expanded:
- DK: University College Copenhagen
- IE: University of Limerick
- NL: HAN University of Applied Sciences
- SE: Malmö University
- USA: University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The International Office also implemented the “HRK Audit kompakt” catalogue of measures by improving the intercultural qualifications of administrative staff in dealing with international guests.
- The introduction of regular information events on ERASMUS staff mobility for teaching and administrative staff has noticeably increased interest in such stays.
- In 2017, LUE hosted an international staff training week for administrative staff from International Offices and Libraries for the first time. In 2020, the second event took place, addressing the target groups of Research Promotion and International Offices. It is planned to continue offering Staff Training Weeks every two-years.
Ludwigsburg
Reuteallee 46
D-71634 Ludwigsburg
Postfach 220
71602 Ludwigsburg
