Integration through university education

"Refugees welcome" is the motto of the University of Bayreuth. It is a core competence of the Institut für Internationale Kommunikation und Auswärtige Kulturarbeit e.V. (IIK Bayreuth e.V.) to develop ideas and measures that contribute to a better understanding between cultures and facilitate (living) in a foreign country.

Together with the University of Bayreuth, the IIK has designed and implemented intensive language courses for refugees who are able to study. The institute also trained teachers from schools in Upper Franconian in the field of German as a second language and trained junior teachers for language work with refugees and accompanied them in a mentoring program. In order to be able to take up studies at the University of Bayreuth or another university in Germany, however, the potential participants still had to overcome two hurdles: proof of an equivalent educational qualification to take up studies and sufficient knowledge of German. While colleagues in the International Office at the University of Bayreuth took care of the document checking and logistics of the courses, the IIK Bayreuth, as a long-standing and experienced partner of the University of Bayreuth, was entrusted with the organization of the intensive language courses for the refugees capable of studying.

An important premise of the IIK course concept is the connection of language acquisition with the imparting of cultural knowledge about Germany. The culturally different perspectives of the international participants on the 'foreign' language German and on the living and thinking habits in Germany are integrated into the lessons and enrich the intercultural exchange. In the interaction of the different cultures, the participants have the chance to expand their intercultural competence - another key qualification that is becoming increasingly important in a world that is growing together. Exactly two months after the first request from the university, namely on November 16, 2015, two courses already started, which were expanded by two more courses within a few months only.

Parallel to the courses that were started, a round table "Commitment to Fugitives" was also set up at the University of Bayreuth, chaired by the university's chancellor, Dr. Zanner. This made it clear how important the topics of integration and diversity are for the university management.

Another special feature of our project is the supplementation of language instruction with a cultural framework program, which was actively used by participants. For example, there was and is a cooperation with the Kunstmuseum in the project "Citizens from here and there", an innovative tandem program for the exchange of art, which serves as a basis for regional and intercultural questions. This is intended to encourage an exchange and a change of perspective on the perception of world and society. In addition, the program also included trips to get to know local companies or excursions to Nuremberg, Dresden and other cities.

Since the beginning of these courses, about 100 students have completed the language courses of the IIK Bayreuth and thus acquired a perspective and key qualification for their academic or professional work in Germany.

Together we can now look back on five years of successful cooperation in university integration work. Corona lockdown, the switch to virtual learning and contact restrictions have been challenging for the project as well as for the entire academic landscape. But the situation also holds opportunities. Integration work will remain topical and challenging. We are pleased to be able to make a contribution to this!