International networks are hugely important for a university – for example, as regards positioning itself in the research landscape or acquiring funding at a European level. At the same time, transnational collaboration on research makes an important contribution to improving the quality of a university’s own research work.
The University of Münster is part of the European university network "Ulysseus". The association of eight partner universities has set itself the goal of developing the universities of the future, promoting European values and identity, and improving the quality and competitiveness of European universities.
In setting up its Centre for Europe in December 2015, the University of Münster started to become actively involved in Brussels in helping the University’s internationally engaged researchers to position themselves in the EU funding landscape. The Centre for Europe aims to bring together, support, deliver arguments for, and stimulate all of Münster University’s European activities.
There are currently more than 20 instances of collaboration between the University of Münster and Brazilian universities. A Brazil Centre was set up recently - representing a kind of bridgehead for all kinds of activities relating to Brazil, involving not only Münster University but also other universities and academic institutions.
What one university is lacking can be provided by the other: basic research links up with application-oriented research, joint courses of study broaden students’ horizons and associate professorships facilitate academic exchanges. The Universities of Münster and Twente (Netherlands) pool their complementary strengths and create synergies. As a result, their partnership becomes ever closer and makes intense, productive collaboration possible – with benefits for both sides.
The University of Münster is a member of the “China-NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia) Alliance”, which was set up in 2006. Its aim is the strategic networking of German-Chinese cooperation activities.
The Turkish-German University in Istanbul is a state-run academic institution. A consortium of universities, including Münster, is helping to build it up. The aim is to provide support in the academic running of the university, in the teaching and research carried out there, and in German-language teaching.