Erfurt in focus: Dallmann's vision for an international university network

Erfurt in focus: Dallmann's vision for an international university network

With the appointment of Dr. Antje Dallmann's appointment as the new head of the International Office at the University of Erfurt will provide fresh impetus for international educational cooperation and the strategic internationalization of the university. Your commitment aims to increase the international visibility and attractiveness of the university and to expand existing collaborations and establish new partnerships. Dallmann describes the University of Erfurt as an institution with a clear cultural and social science orientation and emphasizes its commitment to a cosmopolitan university landscape. Her rediscovery of Erfurt, which she finds charming and inviting, reflects her connection to the city, which she perceives as a place with a special historical charisma.

Today's decision to appoint Dallmann comes at a time when the internationalization of German universities is becoming increasingly important. On June 14, 2024, the Conference of State Ministers of Education adopted a new strategy for internationalization that focuses on four central areas of action. This includes universities as drivers of international mobility, the improvement of legal and structural framework conditions, the promotion of international cooperation and other relevant aspects that still need to be specified. These developments are part of a larger framework that emerged from the 2020 Mobility Strategy for the European Higher Education Area, adopted at the Bologna Ministerial Conference in Bucharest in 2012.

Goals and challenges of internationalization

The importance of internationalization is reflected not only in the new strategy, but also in the goals of the German Research Foundation (DFG) for 2030, which formulates guiding principles and specific goals for European action. The HSI Monitor also supports universities by providing profile data on university internationality and supporting them in planning and implementing internationalization strategies. Dr. Dallmann will play a crucial role here, as she will be actively involved in shaping international networks.

Despite the many opportunities that greater internationalization offers, there are also challenges. The results of a global survey on the internationalization of higher education, published by the International Association of Universities, highlight that the top priority for the future is increasing the number of international students intending to graduate. In addition to the further development of virtual forms of international cooperation, language barriers and financial bottlenecks are also major obstacles. This will particularly shape the future work of the International Office, whose tasks Dallmann will be able to support operationally and conceptually.

In a broader context, it can be seen that gaining institutional reputation and strengthening intercultural skills are perceived as the greatest advantages of internationalization. However, the increased workload of staff and the ecological footprint caused by international mobility is a non-negligible risk that must be managed. To counteract this, strategic measures and innovations are necessary to sustainably improve the framework conditions for successful internationalization at universities in Germany.

The challenges and opportunities ahead that Dr. Dallmann will tackle with her expertise will require a clear vision and careful planning. Your commitment and willingness to help shape international networks set an example for the future of the University of Erfurt in the global higher education area. The next steps will largely determine how the international orientation of the university will develop.

University of Erfurt reports that Dr. Dallmann has already formulated a clear strategy to improve international cooperation. In addition, the Education server highlights how important the support from the University Rectors' Conference (HRK) is for internationalization. This also shows IAU report, which examines the conditions and challenges of higher education in an international context.