NeurotechEU at the University of Bonn
The University of Bonn has joined forces with eight European partner universities within the framework of the European University of Brain and Technology (NeurotechEU) as an educational alliance aimed at producing scientists of excellence capable of effectively addressing challenging societal issues connected with the field of neuroscience, both now and in future.
What is the significance of NeurotechEU for the University of Bonn?
NeurotechEU, also known as the European University of Brain and Technology, is an alliance of currently nine partner universities formed in late 2020 as a European Higher Education Area initiative. As a major NeurotechEU partner, the University of Bonn acts in alignment with the shared vision behind the alliance.
The purpose of NeurotechEU is to enhance European scientific competitiveness in the field of theoretical and applied brain research. The alliance was formed with the aim of providing education to produce scientists of excellence, capable of effectively addressing the tremendous societal challenges that arise from the field of neuroscience.
Neuroscience and neurotechnology are defined broadly, thus interdisciplinary cooperation plays an important role, both within the University of Bonn and between the nine partner universities in the alliance. Accordingly, in addition to employees in university management and central administration, other staff, researchers and students of the University of Bonn faculties of Medicine, Arts and Mathematics & Natural Sciences are already involved in the initiative, one defined goal of which is to provide comprehensive specialized education to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree students across all nine partner universities.
Another aim is to contribute in key fashion to the strengthening of our European bonds and identity within and through a highly multicultural, multilingual environment.
NeurotechEU affords both instructors and researchers opportunity to network with neuroscientists located throughout Europe and initiate joint research projects and multi-institutional teaching offerings. Addressing NeurotechEU, Rector Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch has emphasized the importance of the alliance—for students at Bonn in particular—in terms of research and with regard to the ‘European idea’:
“NeurotechEU is setting the pace for global brain research and the development of digital technologies. It is also an outstanding hub for European academia. The multidisciplinary top-level research and teaching offered within the framework of NeurotechEU opens up an inspiring, international research environment for our students.”
What are the benefits of NeurotechEU for the University of Bonn?
- Access to a broad European network in the field of neuroscience created to promote partnership in education and educational mobility
- Access to cutting-edge infrastructures and specialized expertise in basic and applied research
- Linking the University of Bonn’s existing course offerings with the broad spectrum of NeurotechEU content offered by the partner universities via the virtual classroom and study portal Campus+
- Europe-wide contact with individuals and organizations associated with the alliance partners who are actors in the business community and in civil society
- Opportunities to expand university partnerships within the framework of the European University beyond the narrower neuroscientific context
- Target group-oriented online German as a Foreign Language courses open to all NeurotechEU students, including doctoral candidates
- Continuing education possibilities via the NeurotechEU Center for Lifelong Learning
The structuring of NeurotechEU content at the University of Bonn
Coordinating and aligning education, research and innovation activities in the neurosciences is a key objective behind NeurotechEU. Project measures are coordinated within eight work packages designed to build an educational offering that is both transnational and transdisciplinary. One university is responsible for each work package, although all partner universities are represented within the eight packages.
Our tasks: education and research
The University of Bonn coordinates and manages Work Package 4 “Education and Research” (WP4). The principal objectives in this work package are:
- Developing content and pedagogical concepts for the Campus+ learning portal as a platform enabling group study and group work
- Structuring study offerings for graduate students (Master of Science and Ph.D.) within the NeurotechEU Graduate School
- Implementing the NeurotechEU Lifelong Learning Program, the objectives of which include recruiting talented students from the full spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds, addressing educational inequality and providing continuing education offerings for NeurotechEU graduates
- Streamlining the process for recognizing credit earned by students at partner universities, creating new formats enabling mobility between NeurotechEU partner universities for students, instructors, staff and researchers
Information concerning the other work packages can be found on the organization page.
NeurotechEU coordination and bodies at the University of Bonn
The Project Management and the Project Management Team have overall responsibility for the strategic design of NeurotechEU at the University of Bonn, and are supported by the Project Office. The interests and concerns of students in connection with NeurotechEU are observed by the Student Council.
Contact
Sarah Monreal
Poppelsdorfer Allee 102
53115 Bonn (Germany)
