The Berlin University Alliance (BUA) is expanding its offers for junior researchers in the international field. A framework agreement for "Joint Doctoral Research Activities and Degrees" signed in July by the partner institutions Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in collaboration with the University of Melbourne creates the institutional and legal framework for the award of joint doctoral degrees. This will enable the establishment of structured formats such as a joint research training group in the future.

The initiative of BUA's cross-cutting theme of "Internationalization" enables doctoral candidates to undertake binational and cross-border doctoral studies at one of BUA's partner institutions and the University of Melbourne. Graduates will receive a doctoral degree from both institutions. Working with supervisors at both institutions and spending a year at the partner university, doctoral candidates will benefit from a variety of academic resources at two renowned universities and expand their international networks.

"Notwithstanding the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, the University of Melbourne is committed to strengthening its research ties with the Berlin University Alliance,” says Professor Justin Zobel, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Graduate and International Research) at the University of Melbourne. “Our joint seed fund has aided the development of collaborative activity across varied fields of research. The new joint PhD agreement further strengthens these projects, in areas from cognitive training to urban biodiversity, enabling the joint supervision and training of outstanding graduate researchers. This agreement is a long-term commitment to foster ongoing growth of our partnership by elevating existing collaborations and facilitating new relationships."

Within the framework of the strategic partnership of the Berlin University Alliance and the University of Melbourne, joint research projects have already been funded through targeted calls for proposals. The spectrum of interdisciplinary collaborations ranges from the life sciences to STEM subjects to the humanities and social sciences.

"For the BUA partner institutions, the framework agreement represents an important step for the future design of the collaboration with the University of Melbourne, which will be elaborated further in the coming months. The project not only corresponds to BUA's objective of actively promoting young talent at all levels, but will also have interesting synergy effects for dealing with the "Grand Challenges", the global challenges of our time. Together with the University of Melbourne, we are well on the way to further developing our partnership in a sustainable manner," says Prof. Dr. Peter Frensch, coordinator of the Executive Board of the Berlin University Alliance.

The Berlin University Alliance

The Berlin University Alliance is a consortium consisting of three major Berlin universities – Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin – and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, established to shape research and education in Berlin. The four partners joined forces to further develop Berlin as a research hub with international drawing power. Together the partners explore major societal challenges, increase public outreach, promote the training of junior researchers, address issues of quality and standards in research, and share resources in the areas of research infrastructure, teaching, diversity, equal opportunities, and internationalization. The Berlin University Alliance is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the state of Berlin under the Excellence Strategy of the Federal Government and the Länder.

Joint press release from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin along with Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Press contact
Hans-Christoph Keller, acting press spokesperson for the Berlin University Alliance and press spokesperson for Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Email: medien@berlin-university-alliance.de