September 2004

Workshop

Communicating in two cultures

The Franco-German University

EUPRIO, Malta 2004

Ulrike Reimann

September 2004

The Franco-German University

Bi-national university, international institution

Group of affiliated member universities

130 member universities

Administration located in Saarbrücken/Germany

17 employees (Franco-German team)

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September 2004

The Franco-German University

Established 1997

Weimar Agreement 

Intergovernmental agreement

17 September 1999: agreement came into effect

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September 2004

Financing

Equally by France and Germany

France: Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Ministry of Education Germany: Ministry of Education / Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Länder (federal states)

Budget 2004: 9 million €uro (2000: 5,8)

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September 2004

Euprio 2004

September 2004

Responsibilities

Reinforcement of cooperation between France and Germany with regard to university education and research

Creation, Promotion and Implementation of integrated Franco-German Courses of Study

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September 2004

Responsibilities

Promotion of Research and Development

Advancement of Graduate Education

Development of Cooperation Agreements with other countries (tri-lateral)

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September 2004

Core task: Integrated courses of study

2003/2004: 115 bi-national courses of study

10 tri-lateral courses (preparation phase)

4.800 students in 2003/2004, 400 doctoral candidates

Disciplines: arts and social sciences, engineering, natural sciences, law, economics, medicine

Types of colleges: Universities, Universities of applied sciences, Grandes Ecoles

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September 2004

Quality standards

Integrated curriculum / joint study regulations

Training in two educational systems

Joint group of French and German students

Acquisition of two national degrees

At least three semesters at the partner university

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September 2004

Advantages

Exemption from tuition fees at the partner university

Mobility grant for the duration of the stay abroad

Professional and intercultural education

Quality assurance of the programs - Evaluation

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September 2004

Location of the member universities

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September 2004

Public Relations

Euprio 2004

Public Relations since August 2000

One press office for France and Germany

Communication concept SWOT-analysis, tasks, targets groups, messages, measures

September 2004

Communication goals / target image

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Reliable and competent partner and sponsor

Covering a comprehensive range

Central and most important institution in F-G

Courses of study and programs with high quality

Marketing of the programs and courses of study

September 2004

Communication goals / target image

Euprio 2004

Mediator and coordinator

Competent and reliable partner

Legal and organisational expertise and example

September 2004

The target groups

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External target groups

Potential students (school pupils)Teachers and parentsThe general publicPoliticians (lobbyists)Business companies Potential sponsors

September 2004

The target groups

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Internal target groups

Students under the auspices of the FGUMember and partner universities and institutionsProgramme coordinators and their staffStaff of the FGUDecision-makers in the committeesPartner institutions (DAAD, DFG, MSU, CIDU)Politicians (ministers)Panels of expertsMembers and observers of the university council

Internal communication

Communication network Common press releasesAdministrative platformMeetings of the membersExpert meetingsConferences on specific subjectsStudent and graduate fair “Franco-German Forum”On-line job and trainee placement exchangeSetting up an alumni organisation

September 2004

Implementation

Euprio 2004

Message

We are regularly kept informed by the FGU With the FGU we increase the quality of our binational courses of study and thus our international profileThe FGU supports usWe are partners of the FGU

September 2004

Implementation

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External communication

Information materialMediaInternetEventsLectures and exhibitionsPR-Campaigns for special target groupsSponsoring activities

September 2004

Implementation

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September 2004

Problems

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Internal communication

Intercultural differences

Staff problems (17 employees)

Language problems

September 2004

Public Relations

Euprio 2004

Institutions like the FGU or the GIU are important and necessary

Important point of contact to take over the marketing of international programs

September 2004

Public Relations

Euprio 2004

Solutions

convince the internal target groups

Arguments of money, quality and marketing

Controlling (contract, evaluation)

Bi-national team – an advantage?

September 2004

Public Relations

Euprio 2004

Communication across cultures needs inter-cultural competence!!!