HSWT goes International

Within the framework of internationalisation, Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, in collaboration with the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts (StMWK), made and implemented ambitious target agreements between 2012 to 2018, including strategies to increase mobility and expand the range of courses taught in English. In 2019, the comprehensive internationalisation strategy 'HSWT goes International' was developed by the Commission for International Affairs and was included in the university development plan. HSWT plans to achieve the strategic goals and measures developed as part of this process by bringing together the different measures and resources, in coordination with other strategies (e.g. in research or teaching). The internationalisation strategy serves as a further course of action for education and training, research, staff development and in the promotion of young talent. The HSWT strives to cover the future needs of the labour market, to meet the new qualification requirements, to create a culture of internationalism among academics (global citizenship) and to address the global challenges ahead. The university plans to achieve this by better equipping students for the international job market, increasing the number of international students and deepening its involvement in international research projects.

The 'HSWT goes International' strategy forms the framework for the expansion of international activities, the motto being 'Making Hochschule Weihenstephan-Triesdorf more international'. It comprises four strategic objectives (STOs), each with its own set of actions to be taken.

• STO 1: To strengthen students’ international skills (e.g. by offering English-language courses, promoting language and intercultural skills and establishing new collaborations with universities abroad)
• STO 2: To promote a culture that embraces people of all nationalities (as a natural consequence of HSWT’s international network, e.g. by offering courses taught in English, running guest lecture programmes, summer schools and courses in German as a foreign language and intercultural awareness)
• STO 3: To increase the international mobility of university members (e.g. by promoting periods abroad for teachers and staff and by participating in international network meetings)
• STO 4: To expand international structures (e.g. by establishing the Centre for International Affairs and HSWT International School, and by engaging in international initiatives and networks)