Strategy and objectives
A tradition of cutting-edge research and innovation ... since 1743
Moving Knowledge is our motto and guiding principle at FAU. We at FAU therefore strive to generate knowledge to shape the future responsibly and openly share knowledge with all stakeholders in society to drive prosperity and create value, as well as using knowledge to improve our world for future generations. The FAU Development plan consolidates this objective. The detailed FAU Stategic Framework „Moving Knowledge “ / FAU-Entwicklungsplan „Wissen bewegen“(in German) consolidates this objective for our internal stakeholders. In the current abbreviated version of the FAU Development plan (in German) we also offer external interested parties the option of finding out more about the future development of FAU. Sustainability is firmly anchored at FAU as a cross-sectional task.
Strategy #FAU2025
#FAU2025 describes the framework, priorities and process of how we going to develop FAU together and prepare for the future. It enables us to take stock of the strategy process up to now and consolidates the most important current developments.
Above all, #FAU2025 calls on each and every one of us to shape the future of our FAU in such a way that we use opportunities, release potential for synergies, and shape the University’s unique profile while still focusing on FAU as the ‘bigger picture’.
FAU’s motto ‘Moving knowledge’ is an inspiration to many – sometimes fundamentally and generally, sometimes in very specific measures and methods and often motivationally or metaphorically.
Whether implicitly or explicitly, FAU’s principles: ‘Innovation – Diversity – Passion’, provide guidance for our actions in many ways. They remind us of our strengths and everything that connects us as members to our University. They also urge us to orient everything we do and every decision we take even more clearly towards these principles.
Since 2017, the four strategic fields of action ‘PEOPLE – EDUCATION – RESEARCH – OUTREACH’ have been defining the central priorities of the University’s future development and providing a framework for its members to develop and achieve their own personal goals. These fields of action provide a guide and help each and every member of the University to play an active role at FAU.
FAU places a clear focus on utilising opportunities in its strategic fields of action: PEOPLE – EDUCATION – RESEARCH – OUTREACH. They structure the priorities for future development.
Utilising opportunities means that each and every individual in research and administration must proactively identify and seize opportunities, and contribute to success.
- PEOPLE: represents the opportunities for career and network development, not only for students, but also for all employees for whom we are responsible. It also represents the opportunity to develop our FAU family as a responsible community. #FAUwelcome, the onboarding programme for newly-appointed professors, is a great example of this responsibility.
- EDUCATION: represents the opportunity for teaching and learning innovation, learning in interaction, learning from each other at work, learning beyond departmental boundaries, faculties, degree programmes, or teams, learning with partners and partner organisations or the development and utilisation of new learning formats and methods. #FAUdigital delivers the ability to innovate throughout.
- RESEARCH: represents opportunities for identifying fascinating areas of research and implementing them in research networks, attracting outstanding researchers for our FAU, developing exciting research agendas and providing advice and support to funding providers and helping to shape policy for science and innovation. #FAUconnect makes this potential for development tangible and provides a well-structured framework.
- OUTREACH: represents the opportunities we have for patenting and licensing intellectual property, opportunities for innovation in education and training, opportunities for involving a wide range of stakeholders in research and innovation, opportunities for exciting science-based start-ups or opportunities for constructive input in the scientific, economic and social ecosystem of innovation that surrounds us. #FAUinnovate consolidates platforms and initiatives here.
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275 years of FAU
Handover of keys to the Himbeerpalast
(Image: Siemens AG) Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder:
Today, the cabinet has passed historic resolutions underlining the importance of Nuremberg and Erlangen not only as home to a leading university but also as an important location for science and research. … The move to new premises marks a significant change in the structure of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. … This is a decisive signal that will have a major impact in Bavaria and beyond!
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100 years of the School of Business, Economics and Society
image: FAU/Giulia Iannicelli The School of Business, Economics and Society can be traced back to the Nuremberg Commercial College which had just 180 students when it opened in Findelgasse 7, in the centre of Nuremberg, in 1919. A lot has happened since then. Today, the School of Business, Economics and Society is part of FAU with more than 6,000 students and a strong reputation in research.
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Opening of Zollhof 7
In 2017, FAU launched ZOLLHOF, the digital start-up centre for Middle Franconia, together with a number of strong partners. The centre provides national and international start-ups with a launching pad for their innovative ideas. This year, the start-up centre is due to move into its new premises in ZOLLHOF 7, the new home for Germany’s digital hub in Franconia.
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A new home!
It is 2028 and the long-awaited event is finally upon us – the Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Theology is moving into the Humanities Centre in the Himbeerpalast in Erlangen, as planned by the State Ministry. Originally the Siemens headquarters in Erlangen, the buildings with their distinctive red facade are now home to seminar rooms, libraries, offices, lecture halls, cafeterias, advisory centres – and that is not all.
The Humanities Centre offers students and scholars an inspiring academic environment together with cutting-edge facilities for studying and research, where innovation, diversity and passion come to life in line with the guiding principles of FAU and to the benefit of Erlangen as a location for research.
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Promoting internationalisation
Internationalisation has long been a priority at FAU. 15 years ago, FAU successfully participated in the ‘Internationalisation of Universities’ Audit organised by the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and has completed the reauditing process several times since. The significance of internationalisation at FAU is also underlined by the fact that more Bachelor’s degree programmes are now offered in English and that numbers of international students have grown steadily over the years. Nearly 20 years ago, Vahid Sandoghdar was the first Alexander-von-Humboldt professor at FAU. Several more have since followed in his footsteps. It is also 12 years since we started to take a new approach towards networking with international alumni, commencing with an FAU alumni get-together in Vancouver.
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Innovator #1
It is now twenty years since FAU was voted the most innovative university in Germany in the Reuters Top 100 Ranking. Since then, FAU has systematically continued to develop its role as an innovator in the regional ecosystem, at a national level and in the international market for innovation. Innovators at FAU know that whilst rankings may set the benchmark, the true measure of success is how successfully innovative ideas are put into practice with strong partners in research, industry and society as a whole. This is what drives research at FAU.
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75 years of the Faculty of Engineering
Approximately 1500 visitors flooded to the southern campus for the open day held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Faculty of Engineering, where they enjoyed the wide range of presentations, exhibitions and tours on offer. (Image: Erich Malter) Happy birthday! The Faculty of Engineering is 75 today. Compared to the other faculties, it may still be a youngster, but even at the age of 50 it had accumulated an impressive track record. ‘Thanks to its project initiatives, the Faculty of Engineering sets the standard on an international scale,’ said Science Minister Dr. Ludwig Spaenle at the 50th anniversary celebrations. ‘Its compact structure has definitely also had a role to play in its success. The fact that core engineering subjects are all able to cooperate within one faculty is one special feature of this Faculty.’ Thanks in no small measure to this unusual structure, the Faculty even managed to win four Leibniz awards before its 50th anniversary.
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300 years of FAU
FAU was established 300 years ago. That is worth celebrating! An extensive and varied anniversary programme reflects the passion for research, teaching and learning which reigns at FAU, leading to a constant stream of innovative ideas. Here’s to the next 300 years of knowledge in motion!
Innovation goes hand in hand with tradition