Internationalization

Freie Universität Berlin is committed to intensifying its contacts with emerging research nations such as China, Brazil, and India. Source: Bernd Wannenmacher

Ever since Freie Universität was first founded, in 1948, the idea of a free university has found broad-based support from abroad, paving the way for a broad array of international contacts that have grown into dense networks since then. The Center for International Cooperation and international liaison offices are among the bodies currently contributing to the growth and development of these networks.

In addition to a large number of active cooperative arrangements such as those in place at the department level, Freie Universität plans to work especially closely with a number of outstanding universities around the world in the future. The basis for the global university partnerships will be interdisciplinary research projects, joint master’s degree programs, doctoral programs, and exchange agreements as well as targeted external fundraising activities.

One aim of the new partnerships is to expand upon the university’s close historical connections with leading universities in North America and Europe. At the same time, Freie Universität also plans to develop relationships with universities in countries with emerging research sectors, including China, India, and Brazil. Areas of focus will be based on existing cooperative arrangements and research interests such as those shown in the strong disciplines in area studies. The seven liaison offices operated by Freie Universität – located in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa – will function as primary points of contact within the global network.

The partnership concept includes participating in academic courses and opportunities abroad, including the German-Turkish University in Istanbul, the German University in Cairo, and Kazakh-German University.