With the "StartING Future" project, Fachhochschule Dortmund has launched a new initiative to attract international German-speaking pupils to study for a Bachelor's degree, particularly in engineering.
The project aims to establish sustainable partnerships with selected schools in the EU neighborhood. "Especially in times of demographic change, it is important for us as a university to break new ground and attract international talent at an early stage," explains project coordinator Jan Schmieder.
Jan Schmieder kicked off StartING Future at the end of April with visits to two partner schools. On April 28, he was a guest at the "VI Liceum Ogólnokształcące", a renowned grammar school in the Polish city of Kielce between Warsaw and Krakow. The school has been offering the German Language Diploma (DSD II) since 2009. "The students here have a very good knowledge of German and are highly motivated," reports Schmieder after the meeting with interested students and liaison teacher Sabina Filipiak.
Invitation to Dortmund
The following day, Jan Schmieder traveled on to Poprad in Slovakia to the UDT Poprad Gymnasium. This school is one of only two schools in Slovakia to play a special role: in addition to the Slovakian Abitur, it also offers the opportunity to take the German Abitur. "The school is part of the global PASCH initiative and prepares its pupils excellently for studying in Germany," emphasizes Jan Schmieder. Accompanied by Rector Katrin Beer and liaison teacher Wilke Hinrichs, he spoke to 25 German-speaking students and presented the range of courses on offer and the extensive support services for international students at Fachhochschule Dortmund.
In January 2026, international prospective students will have the opportunity to get to know Fachhochschule Dortmund in person and take a look around the faculties at Fachhochschule Dortmund during the Dortmund University Days(Opens in a new tab) . "We not only want to show the young people our laboratories and workshops, but also convey to them how liveable Dortmund is as a city to study in," explains Jan Schmieder.
The StartING Future project is funded by the DAAD Support Initiative for German Schools Abroad and Partner Schools (BIDS). The aim is to add further partner schools tDortmund University Days(Opens in a new tab) . "We not only want to show the young people our laboratories and workshops, but also convey to them how liveable Dortmund is as a city to study in," explains Jan Schmieder.
The StartING Future project is funded by the DAAD Support Initiative for German Schools Abroad and Partner Schools (BIDS). The aim is to add further partner schools tDortmund University Days(Opens in a new tab) . "We not only want to show the young people our laboratories and workshops, but also convey to them how liveable Dortmund is as a city to study in," explains Jan Schmieder.
The StartING Future project is funded by the DAAD Support Initiative for German Schools Abroad and Partner Schools (BIDS). The aim is to add further partner schools to the network by the end of the funding period in 2027 and to position Fachhochschule Dortmund internationally as an attractive place to study.