Structural development at FAU is closely linked to the strategic and cultural development of the University. The key benchmarks are the FAU mission “moving knowledge” and the principle of “structure follows strategy”. The goal is an organizational structure that not only reflects future developments but also actively enables and supports them. We focus on expanding our existing culture of enablement into a cohesive framework that consistently fosters flexibility, innovation, and collaboration.
The aim of governance at FAU is to guarantee a balance between the conflicting priorities of autonomy, responsibility and accountability. This relies on responsibilities being clearly determined and communication channels being defined precisely and with a view to the future.
As a university which offers the entire spectrum of academic disciplines and where the onus is on innovation, FAU will benefit from the greater degree of freedom which is beginning to become available to universities in Bavaria. The University sees itself as an intermediary between academia, industry, politics and society. This requires a culture of collaboration characterized by freedom, independence and a sense of responsibility that defines all interactions within the University and in the wider community, and structures tailored towards achieving FAU’s objectives. The focus is on encouraging the individual and collaborative responsibility of all people. Innovation thrives on freedom to try out new and alternative ways of researching, teaching, working and studying.
For FAU, organizational development refers equally to the design and further development of internal and cross-institutional structures and processes in science and science-supporting systems. Areas of FAU organizational development: Internal FAU structures and processes.
Organizational Forms in Science:
- Within faculties/departments
- In central facilities
- In large & strategic projects
Organizational Forms in the Science Support System:
- In central & decentralized units
- Through interaction between these units
- In collaboration with researchers
Organizational Networks Emerging from Science:
- In strategic partnerships
- In alliances and consortiums
- Within the innovation ecosystem
Organizational Networks Emerging from the Science Support System:
- With subsidiaries
- With partner organizations
- With government and policy bodies
Technical infrastructure at FAU is our main focus when it comes to infrastructure development. We aim to create ubiquitous, secure and reliable system and IT infrastructure that organizational units, teaching staff, students and external parties can use as conveniently as possible. With the Erlangen Regional Computing Center (RRZE) and the Erlangen National High-Performance Computing Center (NHR@FAU), FAU can rely on expert IT service providers for basic digital services, services tailored to academia and specific organizational units, IT security, and high-performance computing and AI resources.
All other technical and commercial aspects of our extensive infrastructure are covered by Facility Management within the University Administration. The technical services of our administration use computer aided facility management (CAFM) tools in order to guarantee the smooth running, maintenance and replacement of our extensive technical systems. The basic infrastructure is provided by the CAFM database FAMOS. This is supplemented by business process analyses within the remit of our organizational development project MOVE@FAU. Commercial facility management develops and uses instruments tailored to render operations and maintenance more economic and sustainable.
As a university, FAU is closely entwined with society in our cities and in the entire Metropolitan Region. At FAU, we have a broader understanding of the word campus, taking it to encompass the entire scope of interaction of FAU at its key locations in Erlangen (in particular FAU Campus Erlangen Center and FAU Campus Erlangen South), FAU Campus Nuremberg and other locations in the region. These close links between the university, the city and society breathe life into learning, research and community life and strengthen ties with the region.
Campus development is focused on the development of buildings and mobility infrastructure and complements the development of technical infrastructure. We appreciate that it is not possible to have one individual, closed campus. As a university in the Metropolitan Region spread over several different locations, we still strive to achieve a uniform image across the board, based on the analysis of the situation as it stands at present, a clear vision and a defined strategy guiding the implementation of planned measures.
FAU’s sustainability strategy offers the framework for all developments. We have a comprehensive mobility concept for mobility between the various locations that also incorporates external infrastructure projects, in particular the Stadt-Umland-Bahn” (StuB) tram line between Nuremberg and Erlangen.
Campus development is understood to be an ongoing process based on participation and dialog. Students, staff and partners from the region – including cultural institutions, companies, local authorities and stakeholders from society – are involved in the planning processes. Transparent communication with internal and external partners is a given. Construction periods and phases are communicated clearly and transparently.
Strategic data
- FAU generates a wide variety of data relating to students, staff, and finances. Once processed and analyzed, this data forms the basis for decisions, forecasts, trend analyses, and calculation models.