Our university is part of various networks in which it is actively involved in shaping higher education, science and economic issues. In these networks, Leipzig University represents the interests of its members in matters concerning the region of Central Germany, the Free State of Saxony and far beyond. As an open-minded university that is part of extensive networks, it is important for us to shape our society together with other parties through dialogue.
Connected locally and globally
Leipzig University is involved in various networks on a regional, national and international scale in the field of higher education policy, international and regional cooperation.
German Rectors’ Conference
The German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) is a voluntary association of public and government-recognised higher education institutions in Germany. The HRK sees itself as the voice and representative of its members in the higher education sector. It is the central forum for the joint opinion-forming process among Germany’s universities.
State Rectors’ Conference of Saxony
The aim of the State Rectors’ Conference (LRK) of Saxony is to coordinate the cooperation of Saxony’s higher education institution in the fulfilment of their tasks. In the LRK, Saxony’s HE institutions draw up joint statements and recommendations on higher education and science policy issues.
German U15
Leipzig University is part of the German U15, an alliance of 15 long-standing, medical and research universities with a broad spectrum of subjects. The aim of the association is to jointly represent the interests of the participating universities towards the German Rectors’ Conference, the academic system and politics in general. It has already succeeded in developing common positions on a number of topics: from the continuation of the Excellence Initiative, the promotion of junior researchers and the future of the accreditation system, to questions of the EU data protection legislation.
German Research Foundation (DFG)
Leipzig University is a member of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The DFG is the most important funding institution for scientific research in Germany. A significant proportion of the external research funding raised by Leipzig University comes from the DFG. Many University members also work on DFG review boards. Here they consult on the financial support of research projects and ensure that quality standards are observed.
German Academic Exchange Service
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) promotes the international exchange of students and researchers. The DAAD is an association of German universities and student bodies. Leipzig University and its Student Council are members. The DAAD promotes the internationality of German universities, supports developing countries in establishing high-performing institutions of higher education and advises on cultural, education and development policy. The DAAD maintains a network of numerous offices and information centres on all continents. It is the main funding organisation for international relations at our university.
European University Association
The European University Association (EUA) is the voice of European universities in policy-making processes at European Union level. The EUA represents more than 800 universities and 48 national rectors’ conferences. It is the independent voice of European universities in the field of education, research and innovation.
Franco-German University
The Franco-German University (FGU) network comprises 194 universities in France, Germany and other countries. The network's goal is promoting intercultural exchange and jointly developing bi- and tri-national degree programmes.
Arqus
Under the European Universities Initiative, Leipzig University is part of the Arqus European University Alliance together with the universities of Granada, Bergen, Graz, Lyon, Padova and Vilnius.
German U15
The alliance German U15, and with it Leipzig University, has been a member of the Global Network of Research Universities since November 2014. Members of this network are: the Russell Group (UK, based in London), the Association of American Universities (US, based in Washington D.C.), the League of European Research Universities (Europe, based in Leuven/Belgium), the Association of East Asian Research Universities (mainland China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan), the C9 League (China), the Group of Eight (Australia, based in Canberra), the Research Universities 11 (Japan), the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (Canada, based in Ottawa) and the German U15.
European Central Germany Metropolitan Region
Universities and research institutions, corporations, cities, towns, districts, business chambers and professional associations from Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia have joined forces in the European Central Germany Metropolitan Region (EMMD). Their common goal is to work together on the sustainable development and marketing of the scientific, economic and cultural region of Central Germany. The Central German Metropolitan Region brings together seven cities, five districts as well as universities, chambers of industry and commerce and over 50 key businesses.
Digital Hub
Our university is a partner of the Smart Infrastructure Hub Leipzig. Together with Dresden, Leipzig was successfully chosen as one of twelve locations under the Digital Hub Initiative, a project of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. This selection depended on a creative start-up scene, financially strong companies and internationally recognised top-level research in the respective fields. Together with successful international research institutions, Leipzig University has created the cross-university research network Research Center for Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure (RCI).
Knowledge and Technology Transfer Leipzig
Our university is engaged in the working group Knowledge and Technology Transfer Leipzig (Arbeitskreis Wissens- und Technologietransfer). The working group’s tasks are to activate, intensify and institutionalise regional transfer between industry and academia and to strategically bundle existing transfer initiatives. The working group was established in 2012 as an initiative of the Regionalforum Leipzig. It is currently comprised of the following members:
- The City of Leipzig
- The districts Northern Saxony and Leipzig
- Leipzig University
- Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK)
- HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
- Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK)
- Chamber of Handicrafts in Leipzig
- Metropolregion Mitteldeutschland Management GmbH
- Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economics (IMW)
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ).
Leipzig Science Network
The association Leipzig Science Network (LSN), which in addition to Leipzig University currently includes 14 other research and higher education institutions in Leipzig, aims to establish a sustainable science network in Leipzig. The institutions jointly want to tackle the challenges posed by changes in the regulatory framework of the public funding of science, the competition for highly qualified specialists and the competition for external funding. In this way, the manifold administrative tasks of the science sector can be better coordinated and strategically expanded in the future. This will also increase Leipzig’s visibility as a centre of science.