The Franco-German University (FGU, , ) is an international organisation of universities from Germany and France with the purpose of facilitating international cooperation in

higher education Tertiary education (higher education, or post-secondary education) is the educational level following the completion of secondary education. The World Bank defines tertiary education as including universities, colleges, and vocational schools ...

. The FGU is not a university in its own right, but rather enables students to study at multiple universities in both countries in a Franco-German course of study, leading to a

double degree Joint degrees are academic qualifications awarded through integrated curricula often jointly coordinated and delivered by multiple higher education institutions, sometimes across different countries. Graduates may receive a single qualification ...

History and organisation

In a first attempt at higher education cooperation, a ''Franco-German College for Higher Education'' (, ) had existed since 1988. That organisation had similar goals, working to promote international academic cooperation and student exchanges. At the September 1997 Franco-German Summit in

Weimar Weimar is a city in the state (Germany), German state of Thuringia, in Central Germany (cultural area), Central Germany between Erfurt to the west and Jena to the east, southwest of Leipzig, north of Nuremberg and west of Dresden. Together w ...

, the French and German governments concluded the Weimar Agreement,
deciding to establish the Franco-German University with the intention of international cooperation. The agreement came into effect two years later when the Franco-German University was formally founded. The organisation is headed in day-to-day administration by a President and a Vice President, of whom one is always French and one is German; and a secretarial office in

Saarbrücken Saarbrücken (; Rhenish Franconian: ''Sabrigge'' ; ; ; ; ) is the capital and largest List of cities and towns in Germany, city of the state of Saarland, Germany. Saarbrücken has 181,959 inhabitants and is Saarland's administrative, commerci ...

. A primary governing body is the University Council, composed of 22 politicians, scientists, industry representatives and other experts from both countries. All full member institutions of the FGU are directly represented in the Assembly of Member Universities, gathering for yearly meetings.
Funding for the FGU is provided by the French and German governments equally, and has steadily been increased since the institution's early days.

Activity

The university primarily enables double degrees at French and German universities, international

doctorates A doctorate (from Latin ''doctor'', meaning "teacher") or doctoral degree is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and some other educational institutions, derived from the ancient formalism '' licentia docendi'' ("licence to teach ...

, and cooperative research projects; supporting mobility and communication between the countries. In 2023 the Franco-German University is responsible for more than 6,100 students in 196 courses of study. Most students come from either France or Germany, but some foreign students participate as well. Out of the FGU's 208 member or partner universities and colleges (including ''

grandes écoles Grandes may refer to: *Agustín Muñoz Grandes, Spanish general and politician * Banksia ser. Grandes, a series of plant species native to Australia * Grandes y San Martín, a municipality located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain ...

'' and ''

Fachhochschule A (; plural ), abbreviated FH, is a university of applied sciences (UAS), in other words a Hochschule, German tertiary education institution that provides professional education in many applied sciences and applied arts, such as engineering, te ...

n'' in addition to traditional universities), 34 partner institutions are located in third countries — predominantly in Europe, but also Canada, Japan and Morocco. The university has been called "a remarkable umbrella organization enabling numerous French and German higher education institutions to successfully cooperate in all research areas" by the director of the Franco-German Institute Frank Baasner, and its contribution to the history of Franco-German cooperation recognised.

References

External links

* * {{authority control France-Germany bilateral relations organisations Universities and colleges in France Universities and colleges in Germany International college and university associations and consortia College and university associations and consortia in Europe Universities and colleges established in 1997 1997 establishments in Europe Saarbrücken

History and organisation

Activity

See also

References

External links