As the European nations work more closely together, and changes in communications and the employment market occur around the world, conditions for universities also change. The internationalization of research and teaching is increasingly becoming a factor in regional economics and politics.
The University of Osnabrück is well integrated in the network of international institutions of higher education. It participates in numerous partnerships and structural and cooperative programs sponsored by the DAAD, the EU, and other third-party aid providers.
 
New Goals > After the Senate passed a program of action in 2007 to strengthen international orientation (Aktionsprogramm zur Stärkung der internationalen Orientierung), the University concentrated its internationalization activities and set new goals. It also follows the recommendations on internationalizing research and teaching (Empfehlungen zur Internationalisierung von Forschung und Lehre )advocated by the Wissenschaftliche Kommission Niedersachsen. Internationalization was included as an important item in the goal and services agreement approved by the University of Osnabrück and the State of Lower Saxony. It is now one of the parameters used to decide upon the amount of State funding for the University.

The University has set some of the following goals for the next few years:

• more German students should acquire some of their education abroad,
• the number of international students in Osnabrück should be increased,
• more emphasis should be placed on teacher exchanges.

New Paths > In order to achieve these goals, the University encourages the introduction of the European Credit Transfer Systems (ECTS), the modularization of study programs, and the introduction of programs leading to internationally recognized degrees. Current international partnerships will be expanded by working with the partner institutions to develop course plans and award double degrees.
In the future, more German classes will be offered in order to facilitate the integration of international students. Building a network for mentors and tutors will improve student-teacher relations. This will help students to finish their studies within a reasonable period of time.

First Successes > These stronger efforts are showing good results: the mobility of lecturers increased within the ERASMUS program. During the academic year of 2007-08, about seventeen percent more German students went abroad than a years ago. The percentage of international students reached 7,2 percent in winter semester 2007/08.