HRK International

HRK focusses its work in the international sector on the following internationalisation aims of German universities:

• Representing the interests of German universities internationally
• Strengthening the presence of German universities abroad
• Improving the conditions for strong partnerships with universities in the Global South
• Assuming international responsibility and promoting interest- and value-based higher education and research cooperation
• Improving the legal and financial framework conditions for internationalisation
• Internationalizing study and teaching and strengthening internationalisation at home
• Shaping internationalisation professionally at the leadership level and optimizing the governance of internationalisation
• Promoting exchange on topics related to internationalisation and international cooperation at the system level

News

Internationalisation: Networking event for university leaders

4 July 2025. Under the guiding question “What’s next for university internationalisation?” around 50 university leaders gathered at Technische Universität Berlin at the invitation of the German Academic Exchange Service and the German Rectors’ Conference. Participants discussed perspectives for the internationalisation of universities in light of global and national challenges. Angela Ittel, HRK Vice-President for International Affairs, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, emphasised that the future of academia lies in collaboration – both nationally and internationally. She also called for a model of responsible internationalisation, in which openness and academic freedom are preserved while risks are assessed and security ensured. A keynote address by Universities UK illustrated that science communication and university advocacy should be based on evidence and involve allied stakeholders in order to effectively convey the societal value of university internationalisation.

HRK President warns of political pressure on US universities

17 April 2025. HRK President Walter Rosenthal has described the latest political pressure on science and public and private universities in the USA as worrying. In various interviews, Rosenthal had recently criticised the measures taken by the US government against universities and research institutions and pointed out the devastating consequences for research and science in the USA and worldwide. At the beginning of April, the HRK and the German Science and Humanities Council issued a joint statement expressing their solidarity with researchers in the USA. In a statement, Rosenthal supported the position of the President of Harvard University, Alan Garber: “No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”

Trusted Global Research: Research Security in an International Context

1 April 2025. At the invitation of Universities UK International, the British partner organisation of the HRK, those responsible for research security at British universities met in London. They exchanged views on how a comprehensive security culture can be developed and established at universities in the long term, and what role university management can play in this. In a panel discussion comparing and discussing international approaches to research security, the HRK reported on the current situation and debate in Germany. An overview of the situation in the UK is provided by the report of the Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA).

HRK delegation visit to Colombia

21 March 2025. Further deepening academic cooperation between German and Colombian universities was the focus of a HRK delegation visit to Colombia. Visits to various universities in Bogotá and Medellín and a meeting between the National Council of Rectors ASCUN and the HRK provided the opportunity for an intensive exchange on higher education policy. The focus was on topics such as the socio-economic importance of universities, questions of academic cooperation and dual training formats. High-level talks with the Colombian ministries of science and education and a visit to several universities in Medellín provided a good insight into the current priorities in the higher education and research sector and how Medellín’s vibrant university, research and innovation ecosystem works. Background discussions with the German ambassador, the head of the DAAD office and the directors of the German-Colombian peace institute CAPAZ rounded off the visit. A joint declaration signed by the HRK and ASCUN underlines the intention of further intensive cooperation and emphasises the importance of academic freedom and university autonomy.

Study: Academic freedom under pressure

13 March 2025. The increasing influence of anti-pluralist parties is often accompanied by a decline in academic freedom in the respective country. This is one of the results of the Academic Freedom Index (AFI), published recently. Researchers at the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg publish the index annually in collaboration with the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg. According to the report, eight of the 179 countries analysed show significantly higher levels of academic freedom than ten years ago, while levels have fallen in 34 countries or territories. Democracies such as Argentina, Finland, Greece, Israel, Portugal and the United States are among the countries where there has been a significant decline in academic freedom. (Read more).

Strengthening scientific cooperation with Israel

4 March 2025. During a delegation visit to Israel at the beginning of March, the Helmholtz Association, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the HRK made a clear statement in favour of intercultural dialogue and increased cooperation in research, teaching and entrepreneurship with Israeli partners. At a time when calls for a boycott of Israeli science and its scientists are growing louder, German-Israeli relations in science and research and the expansion of joint projects are of central importance. The trip therefore focused on the signing of agreements on exchange programmes between the KIT, Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa and Hasoub, the first Arab innovation centre in Israel. (Read more).

Strategic dialogue with HRK partner organisations worldwide

28 February 2025. The status quo with regard to the implementation of structures and processes for research security at universities as well as the general development of internationalisation at universities, particularly in the recruitment of international students, were the focus of a face-to-face meeting as part of the strategic dialogue between the HRK and its sister organisations in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and the United States. The exchange showed that the challenges with regard to combating anti-Semitism at universities are quite comparable in the respective higher education sectors. At the invitation of Universities Australia, the group met in the Australian capital Canberra. The bilateral talks held with various Australian partners as well as with the German Embassy in Canberra provided important impetus for the HRK’s further work (Read more).

Exchange of Ukrainian and German university presidents

21 January 2025. Representatives of the executive boards and a number of member universities of the Ukrainian Rectors’ Association and the HRK recently discussed the challenges currently facing Ukrainian universities. It was the first online meeting since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and took place in an open and trusting atmosphere. The exchange is to be continued and thematically focused. At future meetings, it is planned to address the question of how rectors’ conferences can be involved in the conception and implementation of reform processes and, among other topics how university autonomy can be further strengthened.

Exchange between the HRK and the Spanish Rectors’ Conference

13 December 2024. In December, HRK President Walter Rosenthal met with the President of the Spanish Rectors’ Conference (CRUE), Eva Alcón, in Madrid for a working meeting. The German and Spanish universities are linked by an intensive exchange and the higher education systems face similar structural and political challenges and issues. Topics of the exchange included international university cooperation against the backdrop of geopolitical crises and wars and the use of artificial intelligence in research, teaching and administration.

Web seminar for university managers in emerging and developing countries

5 December 2024. ‘Sustainability Management in Universities: Challenges and Opportunities’ – this was the title of a web seminar held at the beginning of December, during which more than 100 university representatives from Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia discussed the specific opportunities and challenges associated with sustainability as an overarching topic that is also of particular strategic relevance for universities. The prominent role and responsibility that universities have in this regard was discussed. There was agreement that sustainability must be anchored in all areas of university activity. At the same time, it is also crucial to focus on long-term strategies and their corresponding institutional anchoring. The HRK and the DAAD jointly invited participants to the web seminar as part of the joint “Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies”, the DIES programme.

HRK delegation in Tokyo for higher education policy talks

26 November 2024. A delegation from the HRK, led by HRK President Walter Rosenthal, was in Tokyo for the annual conference of the International Association of Universities. As part of the conference, the delegation, which also included HRK Vice-Presidents Angela Ittel and Jörg Bagdahn, exchanged views with colleagues from all over the world. For many of the university representatives present, the influence of populist and extremist social currents on universities and the associated restrictions on academic freedom were the central topic. In Tokyo, the HRK delegation also held numerous talks with universities, funding organisations and ministries. The topics of these discussions included, among other things, how universities are dealing with demographic change, how to promote excellence in research and research security, and how to further expand scientific relations between Germany and Japan.

HRK president comments on the Russian Federation’s classification of German Association for Eastern European Studies as an ‘extremist organisation’

28 October 2024. In a statement, HRK President Walter Rosenthal criticised the decision taken by the Russian Ministry of Justice to classify the German Association for East European Studies (DGO) – an independent, interdisciplinary academic association – as an ‘extremist’ organisation. This is a new low in Russian-German academic relations, which are already severely restricted, because now any DGO member travelling to Russia could potentially face arbitrary criminalisation and prosecution, according to Walter Rosenthal. Furthermore, any private exchange between DGO members and Russian academics could endanger the safety of the former. In view of the serious consequences that may arise for members of the DGO and their cooperation partners, the HRK has asked its members to raise awareness among all university members accordingly, in order to protect them from possible dangers and reprisals.

Slovakian Rectors’ Conference visits HRK in Bonn

22 October 2024. A delegation from the Slovakian Rectors’ Conference visited the HRK office in Bonn to find out about the HRK’s structure, tasks and current topics. Led by its Vice President Peter Šimko, Rector of the Medical University in Bratislava, four rectors and the Secretary General of the Slovakian partner conference exchanged views with representatives of HRK. The HRK representatives reported on the tasks and topics in the field of higher education as well as on the HRK project MODUS for the promotion of student mobility. Both Rectors’ Conferences intend to intensify their bilateral cooperation and coordinate more closely on issues relating to the European Higher Education Area and Research Area.

HRK President with German science delegation in Kyiv, Ukraine

22 October 2024. HRK President Walter Rosenthal visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv together with a high-ranking science delegation in order to further intensify German-Ukrainian cooperation in education and research. Led by Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger and the Chairman of the Conference of Science Ministers, Saarland Science Minister Jakob von Weizsäcker, the delegation discussed current and new programmes of German-Ukrainian university cooperation and reconstruction efforts in the face of the Russian war of aggression with the Ukrainian Research Minister, Oksen Lisovyi, and representatives of Ukrainian universities and research institutions. An agreement on scientific and technological cooperation was signed (press release in German). The HRK and the Association of Rectors of Ukrainian Universities intend to focus on measures beyond traditional university cooperation in the future. Currently, the Ukrainian interlocutors have expressed an urgent desire for cooperation with centres for the treatment of traumatised persons.

Meeting of the Executive Boards of swissuniversities, uniko and HRK

27 September 2024. The Executive Boards of the Rectors’ Conferences of Germany, Austria (uniko) and Switzerland (swissuniversities) met at the University for Continuing Education Krems for their annual exchange. They discussed topics such as anti-Semitism at universities, the integration of Switzerland into EU funding programmes and the start of budget negotiations for Austrian universities for the years 2026-28. The presidents also exchanged views on the changing student body and its impact on the work of universities, as well as the shortage of skilled professionals, the impact of universities in society and the economy as well as the use of artificial intelligence in teaching and research. Also the topic of research security in international cooperation was discussed.

HRK ADVANCE autumn conference: Taking international university cooperation to the next strategic level

26 September 2024. Strategies and ways of shaping the further internationalisation of German universities in a changing world in a legally secure and sustainable manner were the focus of the virtual HRK ADVANCE autumn conference. Multilingualism in practice, cross-border mobility, including for teachers, joint virtual teaching formats, the more active alignment of appointment processes with international career paths, and more forward-looking risk management for institutional cooperation in studies or doctoral programmes each have the potential to significantly advance international university cooperation in the coming years. At the end of the conference, Angela Ittel, HRK Vice-President for International Affairs, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, pointed out that the continuous further development of the legal framework was crucial for the success of international cooperation between universities. “A lot is already possible today – but the whole diversity of internationalisation processes should be taken into account more systematically, especially in the higher education laws of the federal states,” Ittel urged (press release).

German-French-Polish meeting in Katowice

13 June 2024. As part of the celebrations for the selection of Katowice in Poland as the European City of Science, a meeting was held at the University of Silesia between members of the Presiding Boards of the Rectors’ Conferences of Germany (HRK), France (CDEFI, FU) and Poland (KRASP). A wide range of topics were discussed: support measures for Ukrainian students and academics who have found protection in Western Europe as well as relations with partners in Ukraine, pro-Palestinian protests and Anti-Semitism at universities, the status and future development prospects of Open Science and the handling of so-called rare disciplines in Europe. Particular attention was paid to the development of a concept for a European Excellence Initiative, which would give universities a central role.

HRK Coordination Meeting Ghana

4 June 2024. To take account of the increasing importance of university cooperation with universities in Ghana, the HRK organised a coordination meeting on the status and prospects of cooperation with universities in Ghana. The meeting was attended by around 35 university representatives and partner organisations from Germany. The format is designed to promote dialogue between German universities that are cooperating with Ghanaian partners or are planning to do so. The meetings also enable the presentation of various projects as well as networking and dialogue with partner organisations such as the German Academic Exchange Service.

HRK resolution: Study and career paths of international students in Germany

14 May 2024. German universities would like to further improve the foundations and framework conditions for successful study and career paths for their international students. In a resolution passed by HRK’s General Assembly, they propose a comprehensive package of measures to this end. The universities themselves aim to take additional steps to ensure successful academic and social integration. At the same time, they are making concrete demands to the federal and state governments to improve the legal, regulatory and financial framework conditions. Angela Ittel, HRK Vice-President for International Affairs, Equal Opportunities and Diversity, emphasised that a successful overall strategy must focus on ensuring individual academic success as well as improving the conditions of residence and stay. At an institutional level, the aim is to make access to higher education more flexible and to diversify study preparation. In addition to this, the systematic safeguarding of academic, linguistic and social support as well as improved support during the transition to employment are also important. According to the HRK, this can only succeed if the structural underfunding of higher education internationalisation is reduced (read more).

Rectors’ conferences discuss academic freedom

16 April 2024. Representatives of the rectors’ conferences united in the Universities for Enlightenment (u4e) initiative recently met at the HRK’s Berlin office to discuss current threats to academic freedom and increasing anti-democratic tendencies. In addition to reports on current developments in the individual countries, threats to academic freedom resulting from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the escalation in the Middle East following the terrorist attack on Israel were discussed. Key messages that the initiative wants to address to candidates for the upcoming European Parliament elections were also discussed. Two further topics were existing initiatives to monitor and strengthen academic freedom and the strengthening of resilience in international relations in the higher education sector using Germany as an example. The Universities for Enlightenment initiative brings together the rectors’ conferences from Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and from Switzerland.

Conference: Current challenges in higher education and internationalisation

22 March 2024. Current challenges and the internationalisation of universities were the focus of a hybrid event organised by the Argentine Rectors’ Conference CIN together with HRK, German Academic Exchange Service, BAYLAT and OBREAL global in Buenos Aires. Against the backdrop of the current difficult financial situation due to the general conditions, particularly at Argentinian state universities and the Argentinian research funding organisation CONICET, the German and international guests not only expressed their solidarity with the affected institutions. At the same time, they emphasised the high quality and relevance of the Argentinian higher education and science system and made it clear that they intend to continue their intensive cooperation with Argentinian partners in the future. In terms of content, the conference, which was attended by more than 150 people in person and more than twice as many virtually, focused on various facets of internationalisation. At the same time, it addressed the particular importance of international cooperation for science and society, but also looked at existing inequalities and asymmetries and the resulting challenges. (read more or watch on youtube)

German-British research dialogue

13 March 2024. A German-British Research Dialogue took place at Imperial College London at the invitation of the German and UK education ministers. A good 20 leading representatives of German and British science organisations openly exchanged views with the ministers on the prospects and future needs of bilateral research cooperation during a round table discussion. In particular, the high value of strategic partnerships between German and British universities, the numerous individual relationships between researchers from both countries and the great importance of promoting mutual mobility activities were emphasised. In further exchanges between the delegations, experts discussed key research topics such as AI, batteries, fusion, quantum and research security. In a joint declaration of intent signed by the British Minister for Science and Technology, Michelle Donelan, and the German Federal Minister for Education and Research, Bettina Stark-Watzinger, the UK and Germany agreed to expand and deepen cooperation in science and research.

Strategic exchange on research security

28 February 2024. Recently, representatives of the HRK Head Office met with their colleagues from partner institutions in the UK, the USA, Canada and New Zealand to exchange views on issues of research security in international academic cooperation and the internationalisation of universities in general as part of a Strategic Dialogue. Presentations from government stakeholders, the research funding organisation UKRI and various service units that support British universities in implementing research security measures provided a sound insight into the status of implementation in the UK. The results of the exchange will be incorporated into the HRK’s activities on risk management in international academic cooperation.