New award highlights outstanding internationalisation in higher education
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Women's Affairs, Science and Research (BMFWF) and the OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation, are presenting the ‘Internationalisation Award’ for the first time this year. This new award recognises outstanding examples of the implementation of the National Higher Education Mobility and Internationalisation Strategy 2020-2030 (HMIS2030). Higher education institutions from all sectors are invited to submit their examples of good practice.
The Internationalisation Award will be presented in four thematic categories and aims to highlight outstanding measures for the internationalisation of studies and teaching, for promoting the mobility of higher education staff and underrepresented student groups, and for fostering a vibrant international culture in higher education. The prize money for each category is 2,500 euros.
‘Those who think holistically and strategically about internationalisation today are shaping the higher education system of tomorrow,’ emphasises Science and Research Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner. ’The Internationalisation Award creates visibility for higher education institutions that are shaping internationalisation in a sustainable, inclusive and high-quality manner.’
HMIS2030 – Internationalisation in many ways
The National Higher Education Mobility and Internationalisation Strategy 2020-2030 (HMIS2030) provides the strategic framework for internationalisation and mobility promotion at Austrian higher education institutions. It focuses on a holistic understanding of internationalisation in order to anchor international and intercultural dimensions in higher education and in the entire teaching and learning environment. This enables all members of higher education institutions, from students and teachers to general staff, to benefit from the added value of internationalisation. ‘Internationalisation is not an end in itself – it is a driver of quality, diversity and sustainability in higher education. I cordially invite all higher education institutions to submit their innovative measures and thus show what internationality looks like in practice at our educational locations,’ said OeAD Managing Director Jakob Calice.
Submissions from higher education institutions are possible until 14 July 2025.
Examples of good practice can be submitted now. An independent jury of experts will select the best examples, which will be honoured at an awards ceremony. At the same time, all examples of good practice submitted will be published on the HMIS2030 platform in the autumn of 2025 in order to highlight the diversity of internationalisation measures at Austrian higher education institutions and thus provide exciting impetus for the entire Austrian higher education landscape.
Further information on the call for entries can be found at www.hmis2030.at.
