Basic Principles for Responsible Internationalisation

Commitment to Internationalisation and Social Responsibility

The University of Göttingen supports the HRK’s principles’s principles: “The university of the future is transnational. Only a university that conceives of itself as a formative part of the global university community and acts accordingly will be viable in the long term. … Given the increasing globalisation of all areas of life and the consequences thereof, the universities with their mandate in education, research and transfer have a central role to play as agents of change. In view of far-reaching social changes in times of increasing nationalism, anchoring the universities’ cross-border operations in firm, well-considered value systems is becoming considerably more important”.

Pledge to Institutional Autonomy and Academic Freedom

As laid down in the Magna Charta Universitatum, derived from selected UNESCO and UN conventions and covenants as well as the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union: “Freedom in research and training is the fundamental principle of university life, and governments and universities, each as far as in them lies, must ensure respect for this fundamental requirement. Rejecting intolerance and always open to dialogue, a university is an ideal meeting-ground for teachers capable of imparting their knowledge and well equipped to develop it by research and innovation for students entitled, able and willing to enrich their minds with that knowledge.

Since 2016, the University of Göttingen has been a member of the international network Scholars at Risk: “By arranging temporary academic positions at member universities and colleges, Scholars at Risk offers safety to scholars facing grave threats, so scholars’ ideas are not lost and they can keep working until conditions improve and they are able to return to their home countries.”

Providing Equitable Access

The University of Göttingen has the objective of facilitating all its employees equal opportunities and protection against discrimination, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, religion and belief, disability and chronic illness, ethnic and social origin and irrespective of their different experience backgrounds, household and family constellations and life situations. The University thus improves the frame conditions for all and promotes the further development of its organizational structure and culture. Planning a stay abroad takes time and lots of research - especially when, in addition to academic considerations, individual needs play a role.

Göttingen International is committed to supporting all students on their way abroad. We offer information on funding programs, suitable partner universities, the counselling services of the University of Göttingen and other key contacts to help you plan your stay abroad. Find out more here.

Equitable access is also a cornerstone of the Scholars at Risk's guide Promoting Higher Education Values, which derives its core values from an “understanding of higher education values is informed by international human rights law, UNESCO instruments, and related civil society statements

Questions can be addressed to: international@uni-goettingen.de