The Stifterverband Advocate, Think-Tank, Partner Andrea Frank Fulbright Seminar for U.S. Administrators in International Education 2007, October 29th 2007

2 Who we are  the joint initiative on behalf of industry to promote science and the humanities since 1920  advocate of entrepreneurial and private engagement in the public interest  a think-tank for an innovative and efficient German higher education and research system  a partner of donors and foundations The Annual Meetings of the Stifterverband (here in Essen in 2005) have traditionally been venues for debate on important higher education and research policy issues. In addition, this is where the Richard Merton Badge of Honour is awarded.

3 Joint initiative  Members: 3,000 companies, corporate federations and private persons  Funding exclusively via non-profit donations of members and sponsors  Open to all those wishing to play an active role in this network via contributions and donations or to establish their foundation in a competent environment  Private funding allows for flexible & unbureaucratic action independent of state regulations

4 The facts – the heads  In 2005, the Stifterverband provided its partners in higher education and research with a total of 32,84 million Euros originating from members‘ contributions and donations  Largest individual programme: Endowed Chairs with 10,3 million Euros  4.6 million Euros was provided for the institutional funding of science organisations (DFG, DAAD, AvH, MPG, Wissenschaftszentrum Bonn) President: Arend Oetker Secretary- General: Andreas Schlüter Patron: Federal President Horst Köhler

5 Think-Tank Stifterverband…  pioneers and drives reforms in the higher education and research system  encourages cross-disciplinary international co-operation between higher education institutions and science organisations on a partnership basis  focuses on: university autonomy, improvement and reform of teaching, support of strategic development and university management, improvement of co-operation between industry and higher education and research

6 Approach Stifterverband…  identifies & addresses structural problems in the higher education and university environment  designs programs & initiatives to draw attention to the problems identified  provides through its initiatives a platform for discussion & exchange  commissions & carries out comparative reviews and benchmark studies

7 Approach (cont.) Stifterverband…  organizes best-practice competitions in which universities/institutions for higher education are invited to participate  supports pilot projects in co-operation with selected universities/institutions for higher education (bottom-up change management)  awards prizes for outstanding achievements in research, science communication and university teaching  organizes conferences, work-shops and symposia

8 Example: Career Services at Universities Background:  Current situation shows that to date many universities have introduced Career Service offices. Yet… Challenges:  Compete for general acknowledgement & resources with other divisions within university  Face growing but very heterogeneous, internal & external demands for services by students, staff, recruiters

9 Career Services (cont.) Competition goals & aims:  Strengthen the overall position of career services within the university  Strengthen the position of career services as service points for HR-recruiters, students and professors  Stimulate career services to develop a coherent concept for the types of service they wish to provide within the given environment  Encourage an exchange of ideas & concepts about career service development among institutions of higher education

10 Career Services (cont.) Competition facts & figures:  Call for proposals launched & sent to all universities  46 proposals submitted (incl. FHTW Berlin, U Potsdam, Europa U Viadrina)  Jury: representatives of business and university world  2-step selection process including public presentation of 9 finalists  Selection of 3 Best-Practice universities  Prize-money: Euros each plus strategy workshop with Deloitte Germany (program partner)

11 Impression from the competition  Existing variety regarding working priorities, size, resources, acknowledgment by university leadership, institutional setting  No “one-model-fits all” solutions: universities take regional and academic environment into account when developing their strategy for career services.  Different level of involvement of potential clients in the development of services  High potential for career services in the process of study reform (“Bologna-Process”) and with introduction of tuition fees (resources)