'HAW goes USA' strategy
In 2005 HAW Hamburg was a founding member of the UAS7 consortium and defined the USA as a strategic region. The university currently has twelve US partner universities (nine bilateral and three UAS7 cooperations). In addition, HAW Hamburg is a member of the Global E3 network, with a further 29 US partners. The 'HAW goes USA' strategy is an important module within the university's internationalisation strategy.
Each year up to 40 US exchange students study in Hamburg, making them the largest group of international guest students at HAW Hamburg. As part of the reciprocal exchange agreements, the same number of HAW Hamburg students spend an exchange semester at one of our US partner universities. Since 2014 the focus has also been on developing faculty exchange in the form of summer schools, workshops and joint research with selected partners.
'HAW goes USA 2020' strategy
In 2015 the 'HAW goes USA 2020' strategy defined the following vision for the strategic region USA: 'HAW Hamburg is part of a strategic network of excellent partner universities in the USA. With its international courses HAW Hamburg's student exchange programmes strengthen the international profile of the university and attract excellent students to study in Hamburg. There is a regular faculty and academic exchange which ensure a transfer of expertise to widen and deepen teaching and strengthen research. Both areas shape the profile, teaching and campus life of HAW Hamburg and are important sources for ideas and change. HAW Hamburg is considered an expert in strategic fields and with regard to important developments in Germany by its US partners.'
Development of three strategic partnerships
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The three most important university partners are being developed into strategic partnerships:
Virginia Tech: The cooperation with Virginia Tech is in the field of aeronautical engineering. In order to strengthen the student exchange the universities are focusing on credit transfer. The mid-term goal is to ensure that students from both universities can complete a full semester at the partner university, so that time to graduation is not extended. In addition, the areas of faculty exchange, Master thesis and joint research projects are being developed.
California State University, Long Beach: A university-wide stategic cooperation is being developed with CSULB. Student exchange focuses on the Departments Business, Design, Film as well as Social Work and is being strengthened through 'Hamburg Tracks'. Summer schools, workshops and guest lectures in Hamburg and Long Beach complement the semester exchange and a strong faculty network has been developed between the universities.
University of Rhode Island: Since 2012 the student exchange with the University of Rhode Island has its focus on a double degree programme in International Business. In addition, URI offers a five-year International Business Program (IBP) during which URI students complete a study and internship year in Germany in cooperation with HAW Hamburg. At Master level URI offers a Business Statistics Class for HAW Hamburg students.
Development of student exchange and Internationalisation @ Home
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In order to increase the number of US exchange students, HAW Hamburg increased the number of classes offered in English. Currently the university offers over 100 courses and every department is represented. In general, the courses are core classes, which German students can also take as part of their degree programmes, thus contributing to Internationalisation @ Home at HAW Hamburg.
Development of research profile through US cooperations
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The third goal is to develop collaborations with research US universities in special areas of research expertise at HAW Hamburg. One example is the cooperation between Prof. Dr. Thomas Clemen and his research team MARS (Multi-Agent Research Simulation) with the University of Florida and other US universities. It is planned to also develop joint research projects in the field of aeronautical engineering with Virginia Tech.
"HAW goes USA" 2020 and beyond
Over the last five years goals 1 and 2 were achieved. Click on the links to find more information on the strategic partnerships and the classes in English for exchange students. The last few years have shown that goal 3 is very ambitious; however, it is being pursued with selected partner universities. Due to the corona pandemic, student and faculty exchanges unfortunately came to a standstill in 2020 and 2021. The budget and measures were deferred to 2022, so that a continuation of the "HAW goes USA" strategy will be approved at the start of 2023.
Contact
Ingrid Weatherall
USA Strategy & International Marketing
Deputy Director International Office
