Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and Graubünden University of Applied Sciences lay the foundation for cooperation

Semester abroad and courses as the next step in internationalisation

Sea and mountains, theory and practice: what at first glance could hardly be more contrasting is soon to provide students at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and the Swiss University of Applied Sciences Graubünden with an even better education. The two institutions are currently working together on a collaboration that will include joint courses as well as traditional stays abroad. The first students are expected to be able to complete their semester abroad in Graubünden in the winter semester of 2025/26. 

Initial discussions about a possible collaboration took place back in April 2024. Representatives from Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences travelled to Graubünden to explore the potential for synergies. The return visit to Bremerhaven then took place in August to deepen the discussions - with success. ‘Our universities have many parallels in terms of the overall situation. We face similar challenges and have similar ambitions. Our study programmes in the fields of tourism, entrepreneurship and digital media production as well as our research focuses also fit together and complement each other in terms of content. We are therefore aiming for a long-term strategic cooperation,’ explains Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Alexis Papathanassis, Rector of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences.

The collaboration will initially start as a student exchange programme. In future, students studying Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership in Bremerhaven will be able to complete their semester abroad in Graubünden. Entrepreneurship is also taught there, but with a higher proportion of theory and a focus on digital business models. ‘While our students set up their own learning companies right at the beginning and thus get straight into practice, the students in Graubünden attend courses that focus on information technology and digital user experience, among other things. These different approaches complement each other perfectly,’ says Ann-Cathrin Scheider, team coach on the Foundation, Innovation, Leadership degree programme. The first Bremerhaven students are expected to be able to complete their semester abroad at the Swiss university in the winter semester of 2025/26.

However, the collaboration between the two universities will go beyond just semesters abroad. Initial ideas are pointing towards joint teaching programmes. However, it is not yet clear exactly what these could look like. ‘Concrete planning is expected to start shortly. We assume that joint programmes will further increase the attractiveness of our universities' portfolios. For us, this is an important step towards the internationalisation of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences,’ says Rector Papathanassis.