The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) welcomes the internationalisation strategy presented today by the federal and state governments for universities in Germany. This strategy offers an important orientation for the further internationalisation of universities. Sufficient funding and joint initiatives by the federal and state governments are necessary for successful implementation.

"With the new strategy, the federal and state governments are emphasising the importance of academic exchange and international scientific cooperation for universities. The strategy shows that successful internationalisation can bring positive social, political and economic results," said DAAD President Prof. Dr Joybrato Mukherjee in Bonn. 
"The strategy also rightly focuses on the opportunities of internationalisation in areas such as scientific excellence and the recruitment of skilled workers. At the same time, it takes into account the challenges, especially on topics such as cooperation in crises or shaping a welcoming culture. This realistic and science-orientated strategy sends the right signal to universities and the scientific community in Germany in challenging times." The DAAD President also emphasised that the implementation of the strategy requires adequate funding in order to enable universities to make the necessary further developments.

Student success, skilled workers and digitalisation

The strategy of the federal and state governments covers key topics such as ensuring the academic success of international students and their successful transition into the labour market. It calls for greater dovetailing of digitalisation and internationalisation as well as the expansion of crisis resilience at universities. The document adopted by the Conference of Education Ministers in June also provides impetus for the further development of academic exchange and international academic cooperation. 

Shaping framework conditions

From the DAAD's perspective, the strategy addresses the changed framework conditions for the internationalisation of universities and points the way for the further development of cross-border exchange and international academic cooperation. The strengthening of internationalisation experiences and the expansion of diversity and sustainability are particularly pleasing. In view of the geopolitical challenges, the federal and state governments' efforts to sensitise universities and academics to the risks and challenges of international cooperation and to strengthen their ability to respond are also to be welcomed. 

Strategy not a sure-fire success

At the same time, the broad spectrum of upcoming tasks shows that successful internationalisation in Germany is not a sure-fire success. Against the backdrop of current political, social and technological developments, comprehensive political support is required. "The challenge in the coming months and years is not only to announce the new strategic lines politically, but also to shape the framework conditions in such a way that the universities can implement internationalisation profitably," said the DAAD President. "Together with its member universities, the DAAD will contribute to the implementation of the new strategy and advise and support the universities in all divisions of the strategy."