Project qiss: Securing internationalization structures as a cross-cutting task
This project aims to develop a set of sustainable structures as a basis for internationalization as well as to increase the visibility of all related internationalization activi-ties. In this respect, internationalization is to be integrated across all relevant university areas.
The Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg (CUF) is already involved in many active international partnerships as well as being engaged in numerous formats and projects aimed at developing internationalization. The QISS project now aims to integrate internationalization more strongly and more systemati-cally into the university's ongoing processes, and to expand these activities and processes across all relevant university areas. Measures currently being planned include an international guest program for practical semesters, as well as a database for documenting practical positions abroad. In addition, all structures developed within the QISS project will contribute to an improvement in English teaching offers at the university, as well as to the attractiveness of studying abroad for students and teaching abroad for staff. There are also plans to translate the website into English - including all available information resources - and to establish international research internships. These current development plans are intended to ensure the fostering of sustainable structures for ongoing internationalization. International activities, whether involving study abroad, teaching abroad, or a research stay, are to be made more visible, are to be improved in terms of official recognition status, and are to receive better support in terms of material resources. In addition, mobility, e.g., a visit abroad, is to be made possible for all university employees, including administrative staff and researchers.
The QISS project consists of three project areas - teaching, research, and the International Office.
The sub-project, “internationalization of teaching”, aims to bolster opportunities for international exchange and to foster impulses from abroad, as well as to support in-ternational practical experience for both students and teachers from the CUF. In all cases, the broader goal is to anchor international perspectives within the daily life of the university. To this end, the QISS sub-project on teaching, practice and ex-aminations aims to stimulate the integration of ideas from international partners - including various international formats - as part of everyday teaching activities at the CUF. Furthermore, the creation of contact points characterized by their international content are planned for different areas of the university.
The IAF (Institute for Applied Research) is the central institute for research at the CUF and has been bundling and coordinating all research activities at the university since 1996. Within the framework of the QISS project, these research activities are to be made more internationally visible. This will include the strengthening of research activities requiring international exchange and includes formal applications for international research projects. In a first step, the IAF homepage will be translated into English.
Whether studying, teaching, doing research, or working in administration, the International Office will promote internationalization across various areas of the KH Freiburg. The International Office forms, therefore, an integral part of the QISS project. The focus lies on creating an open campus without borders, a place promoting intercultural and inclusive encounters characterized by an active welcoming culture, a learning environment without borders, and the active support of togetherness in all areas. This will include measures such as the development of a university-internal language policy as well as the expansion of the already running “buddy” program. In conjunction with the teaching area, course contents are also to be supplemented with an additional international and intercultural character, and new spaces are to be created in which interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary activities can more easily develop and thrive.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Prof.in Dr. Habil. Nausikaa Schirilla – nausikaa.schirilla@kh-freiburg.de
Prof.in Dr. Ines Himmelsbach – ines.himmelsbach@kh-freiburg.de
Prof. Dr. Hauke Schumann – hauke.schumann@kh-freiburg.de
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE
Naomi Hiroe-Helbing – naomi.hiroe@kh-freiburg.de
ACADEMIC RESEARCH STAFF
Ines Casper – ines.casper@kh-freiburg.de
Johanna Kern – johanna.kern@kh-freiburg.de
Zofia Malachowska-Thiel – zofia.malachowska-thiel@kh-freiburg.de
Lena Vogel – lena.vogel@kh-freiburg.de
DURATION
01/2022 – 12/2023
