The higher education sector is experiencing rapid transformation, both in Germany and internationally. This global trend towards digitisation of higher education involves fundamental changes also in the range of courses on offer. Germany can only remain competitive as a location for study and academia if the internationally oriented, high quality digital courses offered at German higher education institutions are also extended to prospective international students in a conspicuous and timely manner.

Background

Digital transformation is currently changing the German and international higher education landscape to a significant degree. Until now, Germany's high appeal in the international eye as a location for study and academia has in essence been predicated on its offer of attendance programmes. This is rapidly changing, however, due to the huge digitisation push that German higher education institutions have experienced given the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular in the Anglo-American area, the demand for digital courses is increasing and as a consequence their supply. Digital study programmes enable new forms of study as they overcome physical distance and frequent restrictions to mobility. The deployment of digital media, innovative teaching and learning tools and the use of virtual platforms for data exchange do not merely promote interaction between students. Digital study is also shaping a new image of higher education in Germany with innovative study programmes that are indispensable for international competitiveness. The intended additional interlinkage through local teaching and learning opportunities offers a high potential for new forms of intercultural exchange.

DAAD intends to use the IP Digital call for applications to make a central contribution to advancing the digitisation of already successful masters study programmes that are internationally oriented and assist higher education institutions to meet the huge increase in demand for digital courses. In addition, impetus and models for internationally compatible digitisation standards are to be created at German higher education institutions.

Programme objectives

IP Digital has two main objectives:

• German higher education institutions (individually or in partnerships) offer internationally oriented digital study programmes.
• The competences and structural framework conditions for further digitisation of the participating higher education institutions are available and can be applied to develop further digital study courses.