Franco-German University

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Franco–German University
Université franco-allemande
Deutsch-Französische Hochschule
250px
Abbreviation UFA / DFH / FGU
Predecessor Franco-German College for Higher Education
Formation 19 September 1997 (27 years ago) (1997-09-19)
Type Intergovernmental organisation
Legal status Statutory corporation
Headquarters Saarbrücken, Saarland, Germany[1]
Region served
France and Germany, Europe
Fields Higher education
Membership (2016/17)
208 universities and colleges
Official languages
French and German
President
Prof. Dr. Philippe Gréciano
Vice President
Prof. Dr. Eva Martha Eckkrammer
Parent organization
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), Ministry of National Education (France)
Website dfh-ufa.org
File:Dfh-ufa network map.png
Map of participating universities (2012)

The Franco-German University (FGU, French: Université franco-allemande (UFA), German: Deutsch-Französische Hochschule (DFH)) is an international organisation of universities from Germany and France with the purpose of facilitating international cooperation in higher education.[1] The FGU is not a university in its own right, but rather enables students to study at multiple universities in both countries in a Franco-German course of study, leading to a double degree.[2]

History and organisation

In a first attempt at higher education cooperation, a Franco-German College for Higher Education (German: Deutsch-Französisches Hochschulkolleg, French: Collège franco-allemand pour l'enseignement supérieur) had existed since 1988. That organisation had similar goals, working to promote international academic cooperation and student exchanges.[3][4]

At the September 1997 Franco-German Summit in Weimar, the French and German governments concluded the Weimar Agreement,[5] deciding to establish the Franco-German University with the intention of international cooperation. The agreement came into effect two years later when the Franco-German University was formally founded.[1]

The organisation is headed in day-to-day administration by a President and a Vice President, of whom one is always French and one is German; and a secretarial office in Saarbrücken. A primary governing body is the University Council, composed of 22 politicians, scientists, industry representatives and other experts from both countries. All full member institutions of the FGU are directly represented in the Assembly of Member Universities, gathering for yearly meetings.[1]
Funding for the FGU is provided by the French and German governments equally, and has steadily been increased since the institution's early days.[6]

Activity

The university primarily enables double degrees at French and German universities, international doctorates, and cooperative research projects; supporting mobility and communication between the countries.[6]

In 2022 the Franco-German University is responsible for more than 6,300 students in 189 courses of study. Most students come from either France or Germany, but some foreign students participate as well.[2] Out of the FGU's 213 member or partner universities and colleges (including grandes écoles and Fachhochschulen in addition to traditional universities), 32 partner institutions are located in third countries — predominantly in Europe, but also Canada, Japan and Morocco.[7]

The university has been called "a remarkable umbrella organization enabling numerous French and German higher education institutions to successfully cooperate in all research areas" by the director of the Franco-German Institute Frank Baasner,[8] and its contribution to the history of Franco-German cooperation recognised.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
    Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.