Rectorates on the road to success: Schwäbisch Gmünd’s universities are pulling together!

Rectorates on the road to success: Schwäbisch Gmünd’s universities are pulling together!

In February 2025, an important meeting of the rectorates of the University of Design (HfG) and the Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Education took place. This meeting marked a significant step towards intensifying cooperation between both institutions. The aim was to use synergies and represent common concerns more strongly. Both rectorates met for the first time to discuss key challenges and further develop collaborations. Loud PH-Gmünd Existing collaborations, such as the collaboration with it GmbH and the CHAL project, were discussed.

The exchange was characterized by intensive discussions about the current status of cooperation and future perspectives. A central topic was improving communication with the city and the district. This should lead to better coordination and joint representation of concerns, which can strengthen Schwäbisch Gmünd as a university location.

Practical topics and international students

The rectories also discussed practical challenges that affect international students. One suggestion included closer exchange between international students from both universities. In addition, the possibility of more intensive use of shared spaces to promote collaboration was discussed.

Another important topic at this meeting was cross-marketing measures for central events, such as the anniversary year “200 years of teacher training in Schwäbisch Gmünd”. In this context, a joint lunch was also held at the invitation of Maren Schmohl, the rector of the HfG, in order to deepen the topics of discussion. This encounter turned out to be a profitable exchange and was seen as an important start to strengthening cooperation between the universities.

Internationalization of universities in Germany

The increasing internationalization of universities is becoming increasingly important in Germany. Loud International university cooperation German universities are becoming increasingly involved in international collaborations. This includes the establishment of study programs and faculties abroad as well as the development of transnational educational projects. The code for German university projects abroad, which was passed in 2013, defines minimum qualitative requirements to ensure a high academic standard.

In 2023, Germany recorded a total of 18,153 international collaborations between 312 universities (excluding Erasmus). In order to further increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the German university location, an internationalization strategy was adopted in the summer of 2024 that includes all relevant players. The goals of this strategy include reducing barriers for international students and promoting high-quality international experiences.

Funding from the BMBF

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) supports international university collaborations through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The aim is to strengthen the international networking of German universities. The programs include, among other things, structured student exchanges and international study and training partnerships. In addition, regional programs such as the German-Argentine University Center aim to intensify cooperation with specific countries.

The rectorates of the HfG and the Schwäbisch Gmünd University of Education are aware of the importance of these international developments. Beyond individual collaborations, funding through national programs will offer growing potential for creating a dynamic university location in Schwäbisch Gmünd. The future of this collaboration promises to positively impact both local and international dimensions of higher education.