Internationalisation is one of the fundamental elements of any university and the University of Stuttgart is no exception. New challenges emerge as a result of technological innovation, radical political changes or global ecological problems, all call for the world-wide cooperation of scientists. Only if science meets these challenges will German industry remain competitive in the international market place. This places demands on the education system to accept this challenge and universities must increase their participation in exchange programs for both students and scientists. However, the aim of this Uni-Kurier is not to repeat themes which have already been dealt with in detail elsewhere but to concentrate on depicting what has been happening to internationalise the University of Stuttgart. This will involve looking at activities which began long before this topic was "the talk of the town" as well as where new impulses need to be given and new ways found. At the same time, this is also an appeal to all members of the university to actively contribute to the success of this internationalisation initiative which goes beyond the already existing cooperation programs. The University has not only been active in developing partnerships and formal exchange agreements with other institutions world-wide but has been one of the pioneers in taking steps to make the institution more attractive for international students as well as scientists. The postgraduate course in Infrastructure Planning which began some fifteen years ago is an example of this. Water Resources Engineering and Management (WAREM) is the latest example. This Master of Science course is taught in English in the first year whilst in the second, students have the choice of taking courses either in German or English. Other degree courses of this nature are to follow and the University of Stuttgart has designated more than a million German Marks a year over the next five years for the development of such courses. In these courses, international students and Germans study side-by-side and in doing so Stuttgart students come face to face with different cultures and mentalities.

Individual courses taught in English or, perhaps as a first step, the availability of course materials in English or the possibility of taking examinations in English are further attempts towards internationalising the campus. At the same time, German as a foreign language is being expanded to include intensive courses for international students prior to their commencement of studies. Another important step is the introduction of a Credit-Point-System designed to make our course system more transparent for others. The "Service-Package" being offered by Student Services includes a choice of accommodation in student housing, a meal-plan and health insurance and this, together with other measures, will help students from abroad to integrate more speedily into a system which is foreign to them.

Internationalisation has always been an integral part of Continuing Education at the University of Stuttgart and this will be further developed in the new "Graduate Colleges" which the German Research Council is setting up. Here the courses will also be taught in English.

However, the University itself can only go so far in internationalising its campus. Politicians must also be willing to take measures to reduce bureaucratic restrictions on entrance regulations for students as well as on work permits.

New Residence for Visiting Scholars Opened
48 apartments are now available for international visiting scholars in a new building on the Vaihingen campus. At the official opening ceremony on October 30, University Rector, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Pritschow stated that this building came at just the right time and that he hoped that all who resided in this building would have the feeling that they are among friends. The project was financed by the University of Stuttgart itself and cost a little more that eight million marks. The building lot was provided by the State of Baden-Württemberg. Building began in November 1995 and the first visiting scholars moved in in January 1997. Now the University is able to offer accommodation for visiting scholars in one of its 78 apartments on various locations within the city.

Continuing Education for Young Executives from Developing Countries
The Master of Infrastructure Planning course is taught in English and lasts for four semesters. This degree course is designed for future executives, capable of directing the conception, planning and construction of infrastructure networks and facilities of all types. This course ist taught by faculty from Architecture and Urban Design, Engineering and Surveying and also History, Social and Economic Sciences.The centre for Infrastructure Planning coordinates these activities as well as the new three month-course „Management of Urban Infrastructure“ , which is part of the Carl-Duisberg Society‘s program.

The new bilingual Master of Science Degree Course "Water Resources and Engineering Management“ (WAREM)
At the inauguration ceremony of the new bilingual degree course, the Rector of the University of Stuttgart, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Pritschow, expressed his conviction that the University needs a number of initiatives such as WAREM. He went on to say that many are discussing internationalisation but at Stuttgart this process had begun long ago. The Minister of Science, Research and Art, Klaus von Trotha, saw in this internationally accepted Master of Science course a very important step and one which will act as a guideline for the future. In developing this course, the University of Stuttgart has reacted in an excellent way to meeting the demands that internationalising the scientific markets has placed upon the education system. Other speakers, including the visiting scholar, Prof. Dr. David Stephenson, stressed that the University of Stuttgart is on the right road and that having both Germans and international students taking the same courses would form the basis for international networks.

The M.Sc. degree course lasts for four semesters. German applicants must have completed their ‘intermediate examination’ as well as all of the foundation courses in water studies. International students require a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate subject area. Candidates who successfully complete the course will receive a degree with professional recognition as well as the opportunity to apply for a Ph.D. program. 20 young people from 11 different countries as well as 16 German students registered for the present M.Sc. degree course which started for the foreign students in September with an intensive German language program.

Studying in Europe - No Problem with ECTS
The European Course Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is one of the basic components in all of the European student exchange programs starting in the academic year 1997/98. The objective of this system is to simplify the process of giving students recognition for work done at a foreign institution, and at the same time, to make the differing systems of higher education more transparent for faculty and students alike.
Students participating in an exchange program within the framework of ECTS sign a ‘learning agreement’ which is also signed by the student advisors at the home and the guest institutions. This agreement is designed to enable students to compile their own study programs prior to departing for their guest institutions and to discuss the content of the program with their home advisors in order to clarify in advance what credit will be given for which courses.

The first two ECTS brochures, namely, those of Architecture and Electrical Engineering are already available. The technically-orientated Business Administration brochure as well as those of the other engineering disciplines will appear soon.

“A Dream“ - A Year in the USA, Canada or New Zealand
Many of the students who have participated in one of the integrated study abroad courses offered by the University of Stuttgart at one of the partner institutions in the USA, Canada or New Zealand have described their experience as a dream. This ”dream“ can become reality for students who are studying engineering, natural sciences or architecture. These integrated courses are sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) which provides a stipend of DM 800 per month, a contribution towards the cost of travel and health insurance as well as a reimbursement should tuition fees not be wavered. Applications for participation should be submitted directly to the professors responsible for the individual integrated study abroad courses. A list is available on request at the International Office.

Looking at the World from a different Perspective - ”down-under” in Australia
In 1995, the University of Stuttgart signed an agreement which provides two or three students a year with the opportunity of experiencing the ”down-under” perspective by spending an academic year (February to November) studying at the University of Adelaide.

In order to increase the number of students able to participate in this exchange program is was extended in Spring 1997 to include all of the universities in Baden-Württemberg as well as the University of South Australia and Flinders University. This is now the eighth state-wide student exchange program. Others exist with states and provinces in the USA and Canada. The new exchange program is coordinated on the Baden-Württemberg side by the University of Stuttgart. Students from all disciplines can apply for the program. They must, however, have completed their intermediate examinations and at least one semester of their stage II studies. The TOEFL test is also required. Application deadline for the academic year 1999 is 30 June 1998.

Wanted! - Graduates with a Double Degree
Globalisation does not stop at the doors of the University of Stuttgart. A good opportunity to gain the necessary know-how is to take part in one of the integrated study courses leading to a double degree. Electrical Engineering has such a program for about ten students a year with the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Télécommunications (ENST) in Paris. The German students start studying in Paris after they have completed their compulsory subjects, some of the optionally required subjects, a period of practical training and a semester project. This usually takes eight semesters. The remaining part of the degree course as well as an area of in-depth studies are completed at the French partner institution. Professors from both institutions counsel the student during the diploma thesis. Students who complete this program obtain a deeper knowledge of the different approach to higher education in France as well as its society and industry. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Paul J. Kühn is the coordinator of this program.

Another program, which is with the Ecole Central des Arts et Manufactures, Paris (ECP), is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Weidlich, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Heinz Stetter and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Zeitz. Up to ten students a year from Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Technical Cybernetics and Chemical Engineering spend two years at the ECP. In this program, German students start their studies in Paris after they have completed their pre-Diploma examination and return to the University of Stuttgart to complete their stage II studies as well as the diploma thesis.

The Institutes of Political Science at the University of Bordeaux and the University of Stuttgart have agreed to commence a further integrated studies program in October 1998. This program is coordinated in Stuttgart by Prof. Dr. Oscar W. Gabriel. Eight to ten students from Germany and about the same number from France will spend the first and the third years together in Bordeaux whilst the second and fourth year will be spent in Stuttgart. Students will receive intensive language training prior to beginning their stay in the foreign country. Each student will also have to complete a period of practical training in the foreign country of at least four weeks. - All of the above mentioned integrated study programs are supported by the „Franco-German Council for Higher Education“ which provide stipends for participating students during their stay at the foreign institution.

Postgraduate Courses and Continuing Education
The University of Stuttgart is also internationally active in the postgraduate courses it offers and in continuing education. The Institute of Railway and Transport contributes to a postgraduate Master of Science degree in Transport and Traffic Planning. The degree was initiated by Nottingham Trent University and the Noordelijke Hogeschool Leeuwarden in the Netherlands. Seven other European universities are participating in the program which has adopted the name “EUROCONNECT“.

The postgraduate distance education course is taught in English. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline. German students must have completed either their studies at a „Fachhochschule“ or the pre-Diploma and the examinations of the essential subjects at a university. All the participating students and faculty meet once a term for a week of intensive studies. This takes place in rotation at one of the participating institutions.

The next course is due to begin in February 1998 and any interested students should contact Uwe Umbach at the Institute of Railway and Transportation Engineering by February 1.

Another course which took place from 16 - 23 November 1997 at the Institute of Bio-processing Technology was directed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Reuß and his colleague from the University of Hohenheim, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Manfred Rizzi. This course had the title „Quantitative Physiology and Metabolic Engineering“ and was attended by 25 people from universities or industrial companies in eleven different countries.

In January 1997, the Institute of Geodesy joined together with universities and institutes from Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic to form the European Graduate School of Geodesy. Its aim is to support student mobility as well as continuing education. The person to contact is Dr.-Ing. Friedrich Krumm.

Building Bridges to the World - the Language Centre
Foreign language skills not only increase profession opportunities, they are almost to be taken for granted as Europe moves closer together and international networks develop. The Language Centre at the University of Stuttgart offers numerous possibilities for faculty and students to improve already existing language skills or to learn completely new ones. There are courses in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Catalan, Modern Greek, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, Czech, Turkish and German as a Foreign Language.

The Language Centre offers „Certificate Courses“ in some of these languages, namely, Arabic, Dutch and Czech. Students take these courses parallel to their degree subjects and learn communicative skills, language for special purposes as well as intercultural competence. The certificate course that is offered in Japanese prepares students for the Japanese Proficiency Tests whereas in English the students are awarded a Certificate of International Communicative Competence. A good general knowledge of English is a prerequisite for this course.

In addition to being responsible for the German Language Proficiency Test (PNdS or DSH), the Language Centre also offers some 20 to 25 German as a Foreign Language courses during the semester for foreign students. These are all at an advanced level and are divided up into Scientific German, German Studies and German for Special Purposes. In addition, the Language Centre offers content-based instruction for exchange students. This instruction is organised in three modules, a preparatory intensive language course and eight different courses during both the winter and summer terms.

Language and Intercultural Training Courses now being offered by the International Office
The International Office now offers intensive preparatory German language courses for foreign students who failed the German Language Proficiency Test (PNdS or DSH). These courses, which will be offered twice a year, consist of four blocks and are designed to provide foreign applicants with the specific training - at low cost - which will enable them not only to successfully pass the test but also to be better prepared for their subsequent studies at the University of Stuttgart.

In addition to the internationally renowned Summer Language Course, the International Office will provide intensive German language training for students who are either attending English language programs such as WAREM or who are being sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service. The first group of scholarship holders from Brazil started their three-month course in January. The next group from India will be arriving in May.

A very important part of these intensive language courses is intercultural training. Here students learn through role play, simulations and case studies social and cultural competence which will enable them to understand German customs and help them to overcome cultural shock.

Service Package for Foreign Students
It is not always easy for German students to find accommodation when they move away from home to go to university. For foreign students this is even more difficult. Now the Student Services at Stuttgart are planning to introduce a new 'service package' which will reduce some of these difficulties and help make integration for foreign students easier.

This package, which will be available at the latest in time for the Winter Term 1998, offers international students a choice of room categories including bedding, lunch in the 'Mensa' and, if requested, health insurance. Depending on the choice of room and the length of contract, students will have to pay for five oder six month between DM 2,300 to DM 3,030. This is a considerable reduction over the individual cost as well as a simplification of the application process.

International Fairs and Exhibitions - active Marketing proves successful
In January 1997, the International Offices of both the University of Stuttgart and Hohenheim joined forces to develop a concept for a professional stand for international fairs and exhibitions. Thanks to the financial support of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Art it was possible to make this idea reality in a very short period of time. The stand was completed in time for the National Association of International Educators (NAFSA) Conference in Vancouver in May 1997. This annual conference is attended by around 3000 representatives from higher education institutions from all over the world. In addition, around 350 institutions and organisations participated in the exhibition. This Baden-Württemberg stand functioned as a meeting point for fostering already existing relationships as well as for developing new ones. It also gave the individual universities the opportunity to present their programs, in particular, the new internationally orientated ones.

In November 1997, the European Association for International Education (EAIE) held its annual meeting in Barcelona. Here, too, the University of Stuttgart was responsible for the Baden-Württemberg stand at the exhibition and considerable interest was shown in the new internationally orientated courses such as WAREM as well as in the intensive German courses now being offered by the International Office.

This type of active marketing abroad can be seen as a productive way of augmenting the successful corporate identity and design already practised by the University of Stuttgart.

First Prize goes to the University of Stuttgart
68 universities recently participated in a competition for the best approaches to marketing German universities abroad organized by the German Academic Exchange Service and the "Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft". Two English language brochures as well as the information leaflets about "Infrastructure Planning" and "Water Resources Engineering and Management (WAREM)" were submitted by the University of Stuttgart. These printed materials illustrate the corporate design that the University of Stuttgart is establishing both here at home and abroad. The first prize in the category 'best overall concept' was awarded to the University of Stuttgart together with the Academy of Art in Berlin and the DM 7,500 will be used to continue to extend the marketing of our University abroad.

(Summary: David Phillips)