Partnership History
A strong strategic partnership with Freie Universität Berlin has existed since 2011, based on a series of agreements, including a Strategic Collaboration Agreement signed in 2011, a university-level Student Exchange Agreement and faculty-level Exchange Agreements in various fields, including international relations, law and communications, a Joint PhD Agreement, Erasmus+ bilateral agreements for student and staff exchange, an Administrative Staff Exchange Agreement and various joint academic programs.
Highlights
The partnership spans a wide range of joint teaching and research activities, including:
- University Alliance for Sustainability – a partnership funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)’s funding scheme for strategic networks, and staff and student exchanges. In addition to Freie Universität Berlin and Hebrew University of Jerusalem, strategic partners in the alliance include Peking University (China), St. Petersburg State University (Russia) and the University of British Columbia (Canada). The HUJI Coordinator is Prof. Yael Mishael, Head of the School for Environmental Studies.
- German-Israel Virtual Campus – Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Freie Universität Berlin have jointly created the German-Israeli Virtual Campus (GIVCA), a platform for the strategic joint development of digital teaching initiatives and the implementation of joint research projects. The goal of this project is to reach beyond the scope of the two universities and make a long-term impact on the use of digital technologies in teaching, research and the internationalization of universities.
- Student Exchanges – open to undergraduate and graduate students in all fields of study.
- Erasmus+ Mobility Program – student, academic and administrative staff mobility in both directions, funded by the Erasmus+ KA107 International Credit Mobility Program, 2015-21.
Information About the Partner Institution
Freie Universität Berlin was founded in 1948 by professors and students, in response to the persecution faced by students who were critical of Universität Unter den Linden, at that time located in the Soviet sector of the divided city. The idea of establishing a free university was met with widespread support in the international community, including financial support. This aid helped pave the way for Freie Universität to become a university with an outstanding international reputation, guided by principles of freedom and internationality. Since its foundation, the academic ethos of Freie Universität Berlin has always been defined by three values: truth, justice, and freedom.
Funding Opportunities
- Call for Joint Research Projects – Annual Call for Applications for joint seed projects, which has funded dozens of joint research projects.
- Call for Joint Online Courses – Annual Call for Joint Online Courses, with the goal of advancing German-Israeli academic cooperation in research and teaching. Launched in 2021 through the German-Israeli Virtual Campus (GIVCA) initiative, the project promotes the development of joint digital and blended learning, teaching, and mobility formats for the benefit of students at both institutions.
- Erasmus+ Staff Mobility for Teaching and Training (STT) – Annual Calls for Applications for staff mobility for the purpose of training and the exchange of knowledge and experiences.
- Bilateral exchange programs for students – Annual Calls for Applications are published for undergraduate and post-graduate student mobility in both directions, for study periods of 1-2 semesters.
Partnership Coordinator
Alma Lessing
International Partnerships & Development
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Mount Scopus, 9190500 Jerusalem, Israel
+972-(0)2-5880454 almal@savion.huji.ac.il
Academic Coordinator
Dr. Tobias Ebbrecht-Hartmann
Department of Communication & Journalism, DAAD Center for German Studies
Room 6219 (Faculty of Humanities Building)
+972-2-5881329
tobias.ebbrecht-hartmann@mail.huji.ac.il