Erasmus Policy Statement
Erasmus+ program generation 2021-2027
FHDW – Erasmus+ Policy Statement (EPS)
The FHDW is a dual system university in the fields of business administration and computer science. In this dual system, there is a quarterly alternation between theoretical quarters at the FHDW and practical phases in the company. Practical orientation and internationality are two important pillars of the FHDW.
The FHDW is committed to fully implementing the principles of non-discrimination, transparency and inclusion and to contributing to the creation of inclusive and networked universities. The FHDW actively promotes the implementation of the digitalization strategy, plans the implementation of “Erasmus Without Paper” and is actively committed to protecting the environment in the implementation of its internationalization efforts. The FHDW supports civic engagement and the development of European identity.
Internationalization is a central element of the FHDW’s overall orientation and development planning. The close link between theory and practice is reflected in the international activities of the FHDW.
The internationalization strategy comprises three main approaches:
1. further internationalize studies and teaching in terms of structure and content
The FHDW’s internationalization strategy is primarily geared towards developing students’ comprehensive skills in an international environment. This objective is implemented through constant improvement and expansion of the curriculum, courses taught in English and supplementary foreign language courses. All students are strongly recommended to spend a semester abroad in the form of a theoretical semester and/or a company internship.
Students in Bachelor’s and Master’s programs can participate in international academic measures or company internships. The aim of the international activities is to prepare students for the requirements of a global market, to ensure the international transfer of research and teaching methods, to meet the requirements of the global higher education landscape and to form new networks and expand existing ones. Numerous cooperations with nationally and internationally operating companies can be accessed for the placement in an internship abroad and outgoing and incoming students can be given concrete support. The aim is to further expand cooperation with business enterprises in other European countries and consolidate it through cooperation agreements. It also aims to support closer links between international companies and international universities.
There are plans to expand further university cooperation within the EU, particularly in Eastern Europe. Outside Europe, the focus is on Asia. The FHDW has already implemented a successful double degree program in China. There are plans to further develop a double degree program in Vietnam. The exchange with the Indian partners is to be further intensified and the number of incoming students increased.
The selection of our university partners is based on three criteria:
a. Like us, partner universities are geared as far as possible towards creating a link between academic principles and practical application, they have a strong connection to industry and aim to make their students employable.
b. The partners are internationally oriented and are experienced in the field of international university partnerships.
c. Furthermore, the university partners are interested in innovative projects in the field of international business and intercultural cooperation
The exchange of lecturers is expressly encouraged in order to promote joint teaching and research with international partners. Hours spent abroad are credited towards the teaching load. Staff mobility also includes further training abroad for academic and non-academic staff. All mobilities and activities are regularly evaluated.
2. further establish partnerships for studies, teaching and research
Europe (with a focus on the Baltic states and Eastern Europe) represents a significant prospect for further internationalization. The FHDW’s participation in cooperation projects is intended to promote creativity and innovation in teaching and research and contribute to improved cooperation between universities and industry.
The international research focus is on projects with countries bordering the Baltic Sea and in the Scandinavian region. In cooperation with a European university partner, the FHDW offers an application-oriented doctoral program and promotes international academic exchange through the transnational supervision of participants.
3. sustainable internationalization of all areas of the FHDW
The FHDW understands internationalization as an institutional process that involves all members of the university. The FHDW promotes the systematic anchoring of internationalization in all areas of the university by further developing and deepening the intercultural skills of the members of the university. The FHDW strives to attract more university members with an international background and international experience and to send more members of the university abroad. To this end, the FHDW will create further conditions for the successful implementation of international projects. Language and continuing education programs for academic and non-academic university members will be further expanded.
The FHDW will continue to press ahead with modernization, pursuing the priorities of the European renewal agenda and the objectives of the European education framework. The implementation of the Erasmus+ program supports this project.
Measures to avoid future mismatches between skills demand and supply and promote excellence in skills development
In future, the FHDW will accept a higher number of incoming students from EU countries that have previously been underrepresented in student mobility in order to make a contribution to securing skilled workers and developing skills in these countries. Experience with dual programs that have already taken place with China shows that the targeted academic, linguistic and social integration at the FHDW has led to the graduates of these programs finding good positions in local companies and being of great benefit to them. The experience gained can also be incorporated into European learning mobilities, whereby the FHDW makes a sustainable contribution to compensating for disadvantages and to the employability of young academics. It also provides all interested parties with access to high-quality, internationally recognized education and secures the demand for internationally deployable specialists for commercial enterprises in the region as well as in Germany and abroad.
Creating inclusive and networked higher education systems
The reciprocal admission of students/teachers as part of a university cooperation will further intensify the professional and curricular exchange with the European partners. The internship abroad supports the transfer between theory and practice as well as the development of international networks. By participating in Erasmus+, the FHDW can better coordinate and further develop its own educational programs with European partner institutions. It benefits from the predefined structures and processes of an Erasmus+ university partnership. Thanks to the mobilities, the educational offers can be made available to an extended target group. The basic ideas of inclusive higher education are firmly anchored in everyday student life.
Contribution to innovation in other areas of society
Due to the practical orientation of the dual study program at the FHDW, the interaction between higher education and business plays a special role. Participation in transnational activities in teaching, research and business is of great strategic importance to the FHDW. The FHDW also supports regional development processes, e.g. by providing scientific support for business-related projects. The international contacts to higher education institutions and companies can be brought in here and represent an additional benefit.
Promoting effective and efficient higher education systems
The quality of the academic education offered at the FHDW is enhanced by mobility activities for students and staff. Through international networking with partner institutions, synergies in curriculum development and in the performance and visibility of higher education can be achieved and strengthened. The international stays and the exchange with international colleagues promote the use of new methods and approaches in lectures and seminars.
The objectives of the European Education Area are taken into account in a special way, as:
- students at the FHDW are encouraged to spend part of their studies abroad
- Academic achievements abroad are fully recognized on the basis of partner agreements
- Foreign language teaching is an integral part of the dual study program at the FHDW, in some study programs modules are taught in English and two or more languages can be learned
- Support for students at the FHDW and incoming students is always provided regardless of their social and economic background
- The added value of the European identity for students and lecturers at the FHDW can be experienced and experienced in practice.
The FHDW is committed to quality management. It is institutionally accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities. The quality assurance system is also accredited by the Accreditation Council through the FIBAA agency. The quality management system, the educational products offered and the teaching and learning methods are regularly certified by CERTQUA. The provision of the various service processes at a high level of quality – also in terms of personnel, sustainable communication and cooperation structures – is guaranteed in the overall organization.
