5th Student Conference: Internationalisation of Higher Education - Opportunities and Challenges for Student Bodies

The Conference

The 5th Student Conference: Internationalisation of Higher Education - Opportunities and Challenges for Student Bodies in 2024 will take place at TU Braunschweig. From 13 to 15 December 2024, workshops and presentations will address various aspects of internationalisation and its impact on universities and students. The focus will also be on facilitating exchange and networking among participants. The insights and outcomes of the conference will also be integrated into the work of the participating organizations and local structures.

Organised by:

Representatives of the student bodies in the DAAD, the Federal Association of Foreign Students (BAS), the AStA of TU Braunschweig, the Free Association of Student Unions (fzs) e.V. and TU Braunschweig.

Internationalisation shapes the higher education landscape on various levels: as a defining characteristic of many institutions, as part of strategies and concepts, as a means of strengthening diversity, and as a mission aimed at deeper European integration and contributing to the resolution of societal challenges.

It opens doors for new collaborations and promotes exchange in the areas of study, learning, teaching, and research. At the same time, it presents challenges for higher education institutions. These challenges range from dealing with global crises to the often difficult access to institutions from an international perspective, as well as everyday discrimination experienced at study locations.

Regarding opportunities for participation at their own institutions, financial difficulties, assistance within the predominantly German-speaking administrative systems, and similar everyday issues, student representations often serve as central points of contact. In the support of international students or when solving problems related to studying abroad, student bodies act as representatives for their peers and play a role in academic self-administration. At many universities, student representatives are also involved in the strategic considerations of the institutions; however, this involvement could be significantly expanded. Especially in today's world, student representatives are called upon to actively address the challenges of internationalisation, to help shape these, and to take a stance on relevant issues.

From 13 to 15 December 2024, this conference at TU Braunschweig will delve into the tensions of internationalisation and the challenges faced by student representations. In participatory formats, participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas on various topics and acquire knowledge and tools for their work. There will also be opportunities to learn from other student bodies and identify common positions.

Participants will have the chance to network and exchange views with representatives from International Offices, politics, the DAAD, and student services.

The outcomes of the conference will be submitted to the DAAD and are intended to strengthen the role of student bodies. Furthermore, the results will also contribute to the work of the participating organisations and local structures.

This 5th Student Conference builds on the previous four nationwide student conferences funded by the DAAD since May 2019.

Target groups:

Representatives of the student bodies
Representatives of student associations, state coalitions, and organizations
International students
Employees of universities
Employees of student services organisations and the DAAD
and other interested persons

Registration, getting there and accomodation

Participation fee: Attendance is free!

Travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the sending universities/institutions. If this is not possible, please contact the organisers.

An overview of hotel contingents can be found here.

Please register here

The programme

Graphic with globe and the inscription ‘Internationalisation of universities’ and all organiser logos

The conference addresses the internationalisation of higher education institutions in Germany amid global and national challenges, as well as the role and responsibilities of student bodies in this process.

What role do student bodies play in the integration of international students and the commercialisation of foreign student studies? What responsibilities do student representations hold within European higher education networks? What role does racism play in higher education institutions, and what can be done about it? How can student bodies internationalise themselves and actively contribute to the process of internationalisation? Representatives from student bodies, student organisations, and higher education institutions from across Germany will address these and other questions during the conference at the Technical University of Braunschweig.

The exchange of ideas regarding internationalisation, the acquisition of knowledge and tools for individual work, and the finding of common positions among student representations are at the heart of the conference. Current topics such as the skills shortage, facts about the situation of international students, the circumstances faced by female students with migration experiences, the situation of refugee students, and the challenges posed by immigration authorities are key focus areas for this year’s event. Additionally, workshops will explore the mental health of students, European higher education networks, and the role of student unions.

The detailed programme will be published shortly. Please note that changes may occur at short notice.

Friday, 13 December:

Saturday, 14 December:

View of the illuminated Braunschweig Christmas Market at dusk."

We will conclude the second day of the conference together at the Braunschweig Christmas Market.

Meeting Point: We will gather at 18:30 in front of the Haus der Wissenschaft (by the dinosaurs) and walk together to the Braunschweig Christmas Market (approximately a 20-minute walk).

Further Information: The Braunschweig Christmas Market, with around 135 lovingly decorated stalls located in the squares around St. Blasii Cathedral and on the Platz der Deutschen Einheit, offers a festive atmosphere in the Lion City. The market is renowned far beyond the borders of Braunschweig and attracts thousands of visitors each year, who can discover culinary specialities and much more in this historic setting.

Sunday, 15 December:

Contact the Organising Team

Johannes Glembek
Director of the Federal Association of Foreign Students
gefue(at)bas-ev.de

Stanislaw Bondarew
Federal Association of Foreign Students
finanzen(at)bas-ev.de

Emmi Kraft
Free Association of Student Unions (fzs), Executive Board
emmi.kraft(at)fzs.de

Sascha Wellmann
Free Association of Student Unions (fzs)
sascha.wellmann(at)fzs.de

The conference is funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) with resources from the Federal Foreign Office.