About Hanse University Alliance
Where we come from
The Association of North German Universities (VNU) was founded in 1994 to realise a voluntary cross-university evaluation and to improve the quality of studies in Northern Germany in the long term. Close cooperation allowed the successful implementation of the Bologna reform and the establishment of joint quality assurance structures.
The VNU did pioneering work in quality development and comparative data monitoring of students, further strengthening cooperation between universities. Today, a common idea of study quality is a living practice in universities.
Building on this experience, the Association of North German Universities has developed into the Hanse University Alliance to network and exchange ideas even more intensively.
Where we are going
The Hanse University Alliance brings together universities that cooperate across federal states in teaching and learning, research and transfer within a competitive environment. Like the old Hanseatic League, we strengthen each other through networking and collaboration, enabling us to communicate our mission and values to society.
As a modern, open and strategically oriented alliance, we are regionally rooted and connected throughout Europe.
Under the heading of the Hanse University Alliance, we support and promote wide range of cooperation formats. Together we aim to face demographic and social challenges together and to serve as a continuous dialogue partner for science and education policy in the German North.
Our objectives
Establish a close partnership with North German science policy.
Expand and promote collaboration in research across federal states.
Strengthen the study location in the North and Baltic Sea region and intensify networking in teaching.
Increase transfer and become a driving force for innovation in the region.
General Meeting
Bremen
Greifswald
Groningen
Präsident der Rijksuniversiteit Groningen
Oude Boteringestraat 44
9712 GL Groningen (NL)
+31 (0)50 363-5285
Hamburg
Hamburg
Kiel
Präsident:in der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel
Christian-Albrechts-Platz 4
24118 Kiel
+49 431 880-00
Lübeck
Lüneburg
Präsident der Leuphana Universität Lüneburg und Sprecher der HUA
Universitätsallee 1
21335 Lüneburg
+49 4131 677 1000
Oldenburg
Präsident der Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
Ammerländer Heerstraße 114–118
26129 Oldenburg
+49 441 798 5450
Rostock
Rektorin der Universität Rostock und stv. Sprecherin der HUA
Universitätsplatz 1
18055 Rostock
+49 381 498 1000
General Meeting
The General Meeting is the decision-making body of the HUA. It is composed of the presidents and rectors of the member universities and determines the strategic direction of the alliance.
The General Meeting meets twice a year. Its chair, the spokesperson, is elected for a three-year term and may be re-elected once. The spokesperson‘s university hosts the HUA office.
Prof. (HSG) Dr Sascha Spoun, president of the Leuphana University Lüneburg, is the current spokesperson for the HUA, and the office is located at Leuphana University Lüneburg. The deputy spokesperson is Prof. Dr Elizabeth Prommer, rector of the University of Rostock.
Former spokespersons are Prof. Dr Johanna Weber (former rector of the University of Greifswald), Prof. Dr Babette Simon (former president of the University of Oldenburg) and Prof. Dr Wilfried Müller (former rector of the University of Bremen).
All posts telated to past General Meetings can be found here.
Working groups and networking
The working groups consist of one or two colleagues from each university.
They not only serve as a forum for collegial exchange and networking, but also work in agreement with the general assembly on strategic topics and projects.
Currently, the Hanse University Alliance has working groups on research, quality assurance, data monitoring, evaluation, and equality and diversity.
There are further networking initiatives planned – for research advisors, in the area of sustainability, and personnel development for academic staff.
An initial networking meeting of the student representatives from the member universities has already taken place.
Working Groups
Research Working Group
The Research Working Group is the network of heads of research departments and units. It coordinates joint activities, creates synergies and strengthens the research network in Northern Germany. With the Impuls Forschung seed funding, it specifically promotes cross-institutional collaborations.
Quality Assurance Working Group
The Quality Assurance Working Group advises the Presidential Committees of the Universities on matters relating to evaluation, quality assurance and development in study and teaching. With the NordAudit, the working group has developed a cross-institutional procedure for quality assurance and development for the universities.
Data Monitoring Working Group
The Data Monitoring Working Group evaluates data from the five federal states that participate in the HUA and has established a shared study progress monitoring system. As a result, the academic performance of the Alliance’s universities can be analysed in a comparable way.
Evaluation Working Group
The Evaluation Working Group develops and refindes of survey instruments, methodologies and evaluation procedures. In addition, the group provides a collegial forum for exchanging ideas on current topics and challenges in the field of surveying.
Equality and Diversity Working Group
The Equality and Diversity Working Group advises on matters concerning gender, diversity and anti-discrimination. It is committed to promoting diversity and gender mainstreaming within the HUA and strengthens the networking of equality and diversity initiatives at universities in Northern Germany.
Geschäftsstelle der Hanse University Alliance
Hanse University Alliance
c/o Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Universitätsallee 1
21335 Lüneburg
office@hanseuniversityalliance.de
Sprecher
Prof. (HSG) Dr. Sascha Spoun, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg
Geschäftsführung
Dr. Katharina Einert
Die Geschäftsstelle der Hanse University Alliance befindet sich an der Universität des amtierenden Sprechers bzw. der amtierenden Sprecher:in.
