Review: International Events and Visits
- International Day at Fachhochschule Dortmund
The International Day on June 18 enjoyed perfect summer weather and drew many interested students and staff members from both the academic and administrative sectors. Fresh waffles, entertaining games, non-alcoholic cocktails, and inviting university lounge chairs transformed the lawn in front of the KostBar into an orange-themed summer festival for a few hours. The International Office, the AStA, the faculties, and Human Resources provided accessible, concise information about their wide range of advisory services, which were very well received. Four hours that sparked a desire for exchange, travel, and broadening one’s horizons.
>> More(Opens in a new tab)
>> Photo gallery on Instagram(Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Jens Krammenschneider-Hunscha(Opens in a new tab)
International Office - Panel Discussion “Management in France” at the Faculty of Business Studies
How can German-French cooperation succeed? Especially when mutual understanding goes beyond mere translation—this insight was the focus of a panel discussion at the Faculty of Business Studies on June 15. The discussion focused on cultural differences in leadership, hierarchy, and decision-making—such as how authority is legitimized or how federal versus centralized government structures shape business thinking. At the invitation of their colleague Christophe Peyrani, Professor Claus Vormann and French corporate and M&A consultant Patrice Pélissier provided inspiring insights into management on both sides of the Rhine.
Contact:
Christophe Peyrani(Opens in a new tab)
Prof. Dr. Claus Vormann(Opens in a new tab)
both from the Faculty of Business Studies - The “Welcome Skills Dortmund” event at City Hall highlighted opportunities for international professionals
How do companies find suitable employees from abroad, and how can they successfully integrate them into the workforce? That was the focus of “Welcome Skills Dortmund,”co-organized by Fachhochschule Dortmund and Arts. The shortage of skilled workers and labor presents major challenges for many businesses. As a result, attracting international skilled workers is becoming increasingly important for Dortmund and the entire region. In this context, companies, experts, and institutions gathered at Dortmund City Hall on June 9 to share experiences and develop new ideas for successfully recruiting skilled workers and integrating them into the labor market. >> More(Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Jan Schmieder(Opens in a new tab) , Coordinator, “International Career Service”
International Office - “Spring School MSU Denver” with the Faculties of Architecture and Design
The Spring School, held May 18–29, represented a logical next step in the successful collaboration between Fachhochschule Dortmund and Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver. Between 2016 and 2025, workshops were held regularly, alternating between Dortmund and Denver. The 2026 Spring School was once again organized as a joint cooperation project, with the participation of students and lecturers from the Faculties of Design and Architecture at Fachhochschule Dortmund. On the MSU Denver side, the faculty of Civil Engineering/Architecture and the Faculty of Design are involved. A ten-day in-person workshop was held, with two lecturers and ten students from each university participating.
Contact:
Prof. Martin Middelhauve(Opens in a new tab) , Faculty of Design
Prof. Dr. Reinhild Schultz-Fölsing(Opens in a new tab)
Prof. Dr. Helmut Hachul(Opens in a new tab)
both from the Faculty of Architecture - Extended Study Trip to Amiens
A first for the traditional study trip to Amiens in northern France: For the first time, in addition to eight bachelor’s students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Fachhochschule Dortmund and Arts, six bachelor’s students from the Faculty of Business Studies also took the opportunity to participate in an exciting intensive week in Dortmund’s sister city. The excursion from May 3 to 8, 2026, was once again all about intercultural exchange, discovery, and getting to know one another as part of the strategic partnership between the Fachhochschule Dortmund and the Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT) at the Université de Picardie Jules Verne (UPJV). >> More (Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Vincent Marciniak(Opens in a new tab) , Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Prof. Dr. Claus Vormann(Opens in a new tab) , Faculty of Business Studies - DAAD Exchange in Zimbabwe
During the DAAD exchange in Zimbabwe in April 2026, students and lecturers from the Fachhochschule Dortmund experienced research, culture, and international networking. The DAAD Exchange Month at Midlands State University (MSU) in Zimbabwe was a key component of the long-standing cooperation between MSU, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) (both in South Africa), and Fachhochschule Dortmund. A key objective of the DAAD-funded program is to foster social transformation through research, collaboration, and personal connections arising from the partnership between the universities. For example, the visit to MSU’s Research and Innovation Hub provided insights into projects that translate research into products and services for society. >> More(Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Michael Boecker(Opens in a new tab)
Dorothée Boecker(Opens in a new tab)
both from the Faculty of Applied Social Studies - "Dortmund Goes Global" Spring School at the Faculty of Applied Social Studies
How is globalization related to migration, sports, society, and culture? At Fachhochschule Dortmund, students are seeking answers—in a seminar that brings together people from different countries. Some 30 participants from the Department of Applied Social Sciences at Fachhochschule Dortmund, Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Denver (USA), and Odisee University of Applied Sciences in Brussels (Belgium) gathered on the Emil-Figge-Straße campus from April 13 to 18 for the Spring School. The Spring School is part of an English-language seminar led by Prof. Dr. Jochem Kotthaus, which not only addresses globalization theoretically but also allows students to experience it firsthand. >> More (Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Jochem Kotthaus(Opens in a new tab)
Faculty of Applied Social Studies - Fachhochschule Dortmund Strengthens Partnerships in India
Fachhochschule Dortmund is further expanding its collaboration with Indian partner institutions. Led by Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers, Vice President for Teaching, Academic Affairs, and International Relations, a delegation traveled to Bengaluru and Mysuru to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new academic connections. >> More (Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers(Opens in a new tab) , Vice Rector for Teaching, Academic Affairs, and International Relations
Prof. Dr. Vinod Rajamani(Opens in a new tab) , Associate Dean for Internationalization in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Event Announcements and Other News from the University
- International Summer Convention, September 14–18, 2026
The International Summer Convention is entering its third year. Once again this year, all participants can look forward to a varied program: From “Train the Trainer” workshops and project meetings to exciting research presentations, there will be plenty of opportunities for exchange. The preliminary program and all other details can be found here.(Opens in a new tab)
Program Coordination Contact:
Catrin Randersen(Opens in a new tab) , Bibliothek+; Institute for the Digital Transformation of Application and Living Domains (IDiAL)
Ekaterina Hermann(Opens in a new tab) , Institute for the Digital Transformation of Application and Living Domains (IDiAL) - New Erasmus+ Budget for 2026
The new funding allocation for the Erasmus+ project in 2026 provides for a total amount of just under €775,000 for Fachhochschule Dortmund. This will fund approximately 220 mobility exchanges and enable the implementation of 5 Blended Intensive Programs in Dortmund. The funding allocation exceeds expectations and provides financial flexibility across all areas. >> More (Opens in a new tab)
Contact:
Julia Klein(Opens in a new tab)
International Office - Intercultural Training Sessions in Colombia and India—Spots Still Available
On October 2 (Colombia) and October 7 (India), two intercultural training sessions will be offered as part of the international Strategic Partnerships program for university staff who are already actively involved in the cooperation or are interested in future participation. A few spots are still available. Those interested can register by emailing internationalisierungfh-dortmundde .
Current program announcements
- You can find current calls for proposals for DAAD funding programs in the DAAD project database(Opens in a new tab) . If you are interested in one of the calls for proposals, please contact the Application Coaching service(Opens in a new tab) at the International Office.
Internationalization News
- Erasmus Program Reaches Milestone of One Million Students from Germany Receiving Funding
The EU’s Erasmus+ program has reached a historic milestone: Since the program’s launch in 1987, one million students from Germany have gone abroad for a study or internship period with Funding from Erasmus+. At the same time, nearly one million international students have come to Germany through the program. For years, Spain, France, and Italy have been among the most popular destination countries for German Erasmus students. >> More (Opens in a new tab) - DAAD Publication “Wissenschaft weltoffen kompakt” Available in 2026
The publication, which contains facts and figures on the internationalization of higher education and research in Germany and worldwide, is now available on the DAAD website. In the “Interactive Section,” users can also generate and download custom charts and Excel spreadsheets on international student mobility worldwide as well as student mobility in Germany. >> More(Opens in a new tab)