An update for the Enlight university network

The Enlight European university network has been renewed: The European Union has funded the Enlight Network consisting of the University of Göttingen with nine other research-oriented universities for another four years for a total of around 14.4 million euros. The network plans to use the majority of funds for academic initiatives, underscoring its commitment to supporting researchers and students. In addition to the University of Göttingen, the Network includes the Universities of Ghent, Groningen, Uppsala and Tartu, the University of the Basque Country, the Universities of Bordeaux and Galway and the Comenius University of Bratislava; and Enlight’s tenth and newest member is the University of Bern.

“I congratulate all Enlight Network partners on this great success,” said the Chancellor of the University, Professor Metin Tolan. “Networks like Enlight, where partners can trust each other and dare to experiment together, are the foundation of international collaboration in teaching and research. With this new funding, we are now able to continue and expand on the initiatives and processes launched during the previous years.”

“Our ten Enlight partners in ten countries reflect Europe’s geographical, economic, social, cultural and linguistic diversity unlike almost any other network,” says Professor Hiltraud Casper-Hehne, Enlight Project Leader at the University of Göttingen. “Dedicated and ongoing commitment to our cause has paid off. With the development of new, flexible and international study opportunities and the linkage of academic and social initiatives, we are laying the foundations for a future generation of committed Europeans.”

The EU’s goal is to fundamentally change and continue to develop the European Higher Education Area through the “European University” program. The central idea of ​​the Enlight Network is to reshape higher education to promote sustainability, global engagement and quality of life based on equitable distribution. Ten Enlight Universities aim to equip their students with the knowledge and skills, through shared structures and innovative teaching, that will enable them to become citizens and professionals who can answer the big and complex questions of 21^st century.

Cooperation across national boundaries is a key component, while another key concern is the focus on the immediate environment, as the consortium will work specifically on social challenges at the local level. Six problem areas are at the forefront: climate change, health and well-being, social inequality, digital revolution, energy and circularity, and creativity. Based on these problem areas, students work closely with researchers and teachers as well as with citizens and professionals from their area. Together they discuss problems and solutions, examine the potential for innovation, and focus on promoting diversity.

In the long term, the partners want to create an open space between Universities where easy access, co-teaching and exchange can take place. The model developed here is intended to permanently change higher education at European and global levels.

Further information can be found at https://enlight-eu.org.

Contact:

Professor Hiltraud Casper-Hehne

Göttingen University

Intercultural German Studies (German Philology)

Tel: +49 (0)551 39-27157

Email: (email protected)

www.uni-goettingen.de/en/17581.html