Shaping the future together: strategic partnerships and university development under one umbrella

 

With the new “Strategic Partnerships and University Development Projects” unit, OVGU is creating a central hub to strategically coordinate the university’s future-oriented initiatives and drive them forward across all departments. In this interview, the head of the unit, Stefanie Thärig, discusses the unit’s objectives, current projects and the importance of strategic partnerships for the university’s future development.

Why was the new unit established and what is its core remit?
The new unit strategically consolidates tasks that were previously handled by various departments on an ad hoc basis and supports them more professionally. The university is currently undergoing a phase of intensive transformation – driven by issues such as internationalisation, sustainable campus development, new forms of collaboration and the renewal of the university development plan. Many of these developments require close coordination across organisational boundaries.
The unit supports the University Management in coordinating strategic development processes, bringing together different perspectives and providing long-term support for key future issues at OVGU. These include, amongst other things, the expansion of strategic partnerships with stakeholders from academia, business, politics and society, collaboration with university-affiliated companies and foundations, as well as issues such as stakeholder engagement and sponsorship.

 

    Stefanie Thärig (Photo: Jana Dünnhaupt)

What issues and projects are you currently working on?
A key focus at present is the DAAD-funded project on integrating international talent into higher education, the region and the labour market. In this regard, OVGU is taking a holistic approach across the entire ‘customer journey’ – from the onboarding of international students through to their successful entry into the regional labour market. Together with companies and other partners from Saxony-Anhalt, we are working to connect international talent at an early stage and open up good career prospects for them in the region.
In addition, the unit is supporting the development and implementation of the new university development plan. This involves, among other things, strengthening networking within OVGU and expanding cooperation within the region and at an international level to make the university’s research profiles and potential more visible. Greater focus is also to be placed on mid-level academic staff – for example, with regard to transparent career paths and opportunities for participation.

What role do strategic partnerships play for OVGU?
Strategic partnerships are a key component for OVGU in shaping future challenges together with other stakeholders. These include collaborations with research institutions, businesses, social partners, as well as with the city and the region. Many future challenges – such as securing skilled labour, internationalisation, sustainability or knowledge transfer – can only be addressed collectively.
Particularly under the current circumstances, strong partnerships, coordinated action and the pooling of resources are becoming increasingly important. The OVGU is therefore expanding its approach to networking even more closely and taking joint responsibility for societal developments – entirely in line with its guiding principle of ‘Rethinking the world together’.

What is particularly important to you regarding collaboration within OVGU?
Many of the challenges currently facing universities can only be addressed collectively. That is why it is important to me to bring together different perspectives and to facilitate exchange and participation.
The administrative unit sees itself primarily as a supportive and coordinating interface between the University Management, central and decentralised departments, and external partners. Staff should be able to contribute their experiences, ideas and needs so that viable solutions for the further development of the OVGU can be developed together.

Thank you very much for speaking with us.