Partnerships and Networks
Over the course of a history that now spans nearly 50 years, the FernUniversität has established numerous international university cooperations and partnerships in a wide variety of forms and covering many different topics of international cooperation. Within the FernUniversität, the five faculties maintain and develop their international contacts according to their own needs and potentials, be it in the context of scientific relations between researchers and teachers, international teaching projects, or in the context of international professional societies.
Strategic Partnerships
The FernUniversität has already established a number of concrete partnerships with distance-learning and traditional universities around the world and is constantly looking to expand this network.
- Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
- University of Jyväskylä
- Open Universiteit (OUNL)
- University of Namibia (UNAM)
In addition, the FernUniversität maintains close partnerships with a number of European distance-learning universities:
Erasmus Partnerships
The FernUniversität is an active participant in the European Union’s Erasmus program and maintains partnerships with numerous universities in the program.
Transnational University Cooperation
- Austria: Via the Center for Distance Learning in Austria, the FernUniversität has maintained a close cooperation with the Johannes Kepler University Linz for more than 40 years.
More information - Hungary: The Distance-Learning Center Budapest is a central contact point for students and prospective students in Hungary and cooperates with various institutions in the higher education sector.
More information (German; Hungarian also available)
We are happy to advise and support you if you would like to establish contact with our international partners or even initiate a new cooperation. If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us.
Contact:
Email: international
University Networks
The FernUniversität makes use of established university networks to further its cooperation policy and the development of sustainable partnerships. It is a member of several higher education networks, including:
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
- GATE-Germany – Consortium for International University Marketing
- European University Association (EUA)
- European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU)
- European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN)
- International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
- Scholars at Risk
European Association of Distance Teaching Universities (EADTU)
The FernUniversität in Hagen was one of the founding members of the EADTU in 1988 and since that time has been involved in its committees, joint projects, and programs, as well as conferences and events. The EADTU works to promote networking and exchange in the European Higher Education Area – especially in regard to the special role filled by distance, online, and open universities. The EADTU’s activities are thus closely linked to the Digital Education Action Plan (2021–2027) and the European Skills Agenda.
The EADTU is deeply involved in a wide range of innovative topics related to online teaching as well as lifelong learning:
- MOOCs: The European MOOC Consortium | more
- Task Forces & Special Interest Groups: Task Force Diversity & Inclusion, Special Interest Group Online Assessment, and Task Force Virtual Mobility | more
- Erasmus Partnership for Cooperation: Modularisation of Continuing Education and Professionalisation by Micro-Credentials (MCE) | more
- Overview of current projects | more
SUNY COIL Global Network
The FernUniversität joined the SUNY COIL Network, an association of state-run universities in New York State (SUNY) in 2022. The network’s aim is to develop innovative teaching concepts and promote the (further) development of virtual exchange.
The network now includes more than 100 universities and colleges from all over the world. As a member of the global network, the FernUniversität and its members have access to best practices, training, and consulting services.
- About SUNY COIL | mehr
- General information about Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) | more
- SUNY COIL PD Workshops 2022–2023 | more (PDF 2 MB)
If you have any questions or are interested in finding out more, please contact the International Office of the FernUniversität: desiree.kampmeier.