Internationalisation strategy
RUB’s knowledge networks reach across national borders. Creating Knowledge Networks internationally is the guiding principle of RUB’s internationalisation strategy.
The objectives
In its capacity as a large research and educational institution, RUB is committed to identifying scientific solutions to global challenges. The university helps its students and early career researchers become active and dedicated participants in an international knowledge society and a globalised labour market. It assumes international responsibility by championing sustainable development and social equality on an international level.
The networks
RUB is involved in global scientific collaboration networks. Research, learning and teaching, promotion of early career researchers, transfer and social engagement transcend national borders. They are integral part of global scientific collaborations based upon international Best Practice Models.
The strategy
In research, learning and teaching, promotion of talents, transfer and global engagement, RUB establishes knowledge networks with partner universities all across the world. In 2010, it introduced its internationalisation strategy. Today, it focuses strategically on research as the anchor of all internationalisation measures. Moreover, it supports the involvement of and networking among all university fields and actors – from the Rectorate and the International Office to the RUB Research School, the Faculties, scientific institutions, Research Departments and Clusters.
The strategic partnerships
Strategic research partnerships are long-term collaborations based on mutual trust, advantage and the assignment of resources. They stimulate and set new standards in research, education, the promotion of early career researchers, transfer and social responsibility. RUB develops two kinds of strategic partnerships: research-led and global engagement partnerships.
Research-led partnerships
The research-led partnerships take two forms.
Research-focused partnerships
Excellent research needs excellent partners: RUB’s world-class research centres cooperate with excellent institutions worldwide. Research-focused collaborations with international top universities shape RUB’s research profile and increase its visibility in the international arena – for example in RUB's two Clusters of Excellence:
- Selected partners of RESOLV: UC Berkeley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Weizmann Institute of Science
- Selected partners of CASA: ETH Zurich, University of Cambridge, Stanford University
Global academic partnerships
This second form of research-led collaborations includes next to research manifold mobility programmes and collaborative networks. They expand the options for research-led teaching that underpins learning and teaching at RUB. They provide opportunities for transferring academic know-how into society. They enable students, early career researchers and postdocs to participate in joint projects, summer schools and joint degree or other short- and long-term programmes.
RUB is currently establishing global academic partnerships with:
All universitywide partnerships
Global engagement partnerships
Global engagement is embedded in a wealth of international networks. RUB researchers contribute – and in many cases have been contributing for decades – to capacity building projects in various regions. In the process, they helped educate local teachers in transnational educational projects and they adapted RUB degrees to the realities and requirements of the respective regions. Today, RUB’s academics teach jointly with their local colleagues in China, South Africa, Vietnam, Southeast Europe or other regions of the globe.
Global engagement partnerships are:
