Internationalization Strategy of the Faculty of Automotive Systems and Production
Objectives and Measures
Preamble
The Internationalization Strategy of the Faculty of Automotive Systems and Production is based on the conviction, that cosmopolitanism and inter-culturalism, especially at home, are key elements of a successful international cooperation in education and science.
The faculty is aware of its social responsibility in the national as well as in the global context and is therefore not only aiming to prepare students for an increasingly globalized job market, but to raise their awareness of a global citizenship. Hence, in accordance with the institutional strategy of TH Köln, the faculty strives to provide its students and staff with opportunities to gain international experiences and to deepen their intercultural skills further.
Objectives
In accordance with the internationalization objectives of the institutional strategy 2030, the faculty of Automotive Systems and Production formulates the following objectives:
- Establishing and strengthening international partnerships and networks
The establishment and the strengthening of sustainable partnerships with strategically selected international partners, that enhance student and staff mobility, are a key objective of the faculty’s internationalization strategy.
- Internationalizing degree programs and teaching
The faculty of Automotive Systems and Production aims to incorporate internationalization options and international education contents in all existing curricula.
- Improving support structures
To further deepen the internationalization of degree programs, teaching and research, the faculty strives to improve its support structures for students and staff in cooperation with the Department of International Affairs of TH Köln.
- Further development of international public relations
The faculty of Automotive Systems and Production has declared the further development of international public relations an important milestone in its overall internationalization process.
Measures
In order to realize the respective internationalization objectives, the faculty has defined the following five measures:
Objective 1: Establishing and strengthening international partnerships and networks
- M1) Strengthening international partnerships
The faculty aims to establish and strengthen partnerships with a selected number of universities in studies, teaching and research. The faculty’s long-term objective is therefore to establish partnerships that enhance student and staff mobility through joint activities, projects, Erasmus partnerships, and other forms of international cooperation. Amongst others, the faculty of Automotive Systems and Production is an Academic Associated Partner of the EU-funded Green DRIVE project. Additionally, the faculty’s partnership with the Technical University of Warsaw, established in 1988, is of particular significance to TH Köln.
Objective 2: Internationalizing degree programs and teaching
- M2) International Double Degree Programs
The faculty of Automotive Systems and Production has established an international double degree program within its Automotive Engineering bachelor program. The double degree program is carried out in cooperation with the faculty’s partner institution in Mexico (Tec de Monterrey). Given the uniqueness of the respective programs, the faculty is eager to increase the program’s popularity and to encourage more students to participate in the future.
- M3) Incorporating internationalization options in all curricula
The faculty of Automotive Systems and Production aims to incorporate internationalization options and international education contents in all existing curricula. Therefore, every curriculum shall include at least one project or elective module conducted in English by 2025. By internationalizing degree programs and teaching, the faculty in return does not only offer their own students internationalization options at home, but also wishes to attract more international students. In addition, the faculty strives to attract international guest lecturers to come and teach at TH Köln.
Objective 3: Improving support structures
- M4) Information, advice, contact persons
The faculty’s website provides students with in-depth information and other sources to plan their stay abroad. Personal advice is offered by the faculty’s staff responsible for international affairs and the Department of International Affairs of TH Köln. The faculty’s internationalization process and strategy are implemented and monitored by the Vice Dean for International Affairs and his employee.
Objective 4: Further development of international public relations
- M5) International public relations
The faculty of Automotive Systems and Production has declared the further development of international public relations an important milestone in its overall internationalization process. As a consequence, a bilingual faculty website has been created and will constantly be updated.