DAAD

Resolution concerning the internationalisation of teacher training

In November, 150 experts discussed the internationalisation of teacher training at an event organized by DAAD in Berlin. Participants expressed their concerns and recommendations in a resolution to the new federal government, the federal states and other bodies involved such as the DAAD, KMK (Conference of Education Ministers), HRK (German Rectors’ Conference).

Participation rates in study abroad are below average for future teachers. Better incentives are needed through changes in policy and administrative procedures. The experts offered seven suggestions:

• Simplifying the mobility opportunities for students in teacher training
• Making it possible to gain practical experience in teaching at non-German schools
• Staying in a foreign country during studies should be a must 
• International experience of students needs to be rewarded
• Teachers already at schools today should be encouraged to gain experience internationally as well
• Internationalisation is not a one-way-street. Students from foreign countries should be welcomed to perform teacher training studies in Germany. They should also be able to work as a teacher at German schools
• Through more international cooperation, internationalisation at home can be fostered. Due to the lack of resources, the governments are asked to give adequate incentives.

In order to meet future challenges, German and European higher education institutions need to become more international. During a seminar in Brussels organised by the DAAD and the German Permanent Representation to the EU, strategies for the internationalisation of higher education, set-up at a European, national and institutional level, were discussed. 

For more information, click here, here and here. (all in German)

Support for the youngest state in the world – Scholarships for South Sudanese students

In 2013 the DAAD has given, for the first time, Sur-Place-Scholarships to students from South Sudan. With this support five South Sudanese researchers will be given the chance to study at universities in the neighbouring countries Kenia and Tanzania.  

For more information, click here. (in German)

DAAD awards European Language Label 2013

The European Language Label is an award that encourages new initiatives in the field of teaching and learning languages. This year the laureates received their prices at the EXPOLINGUA in Berlin on 15 November. 

For more information, click here. (in German)