Close cooperation given that 2007
Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen developed the University Alliance Ruhr in 2007 to utilize synergies in research, teaching and administration along with numerous cross-cutting topics. To reinforce joint innovative research study, they founded four joint Research Centers and a College in 2021, in which around 50 new professorships are being created. Thanks to the culture of cooperation, the universities in the Ruhr region were also effective in the current stage of the Quality Method and protected 3 Clusters of Quality for funding from 2026. This outcome makes it possible to apply in the upcoming second funding line as a “University Consortium of Quality.”
“Our preferred result would have been to use as a trio in the second funding line and to be able to more develop our enduring cooperation as an alliance,” states Prof. Martin Paul, President of Ruhr University Bochum. Nevertheless, the Clusters of Excellence approved in May do not allow for this constellation. Rather, there were choices for specific applications or an alliance of 2. “We chose to make the most of the remaining chance for our alliance and compete in the Excellence Technique with a bilateral partnership,” states Prof. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University. “The University Alliance Ruhr makes the Ruhr region among the leading science centers in Germany,” says Teacher Barbara Albert, President of the University of Duisburg-Essen. “It is terrific that our 2 neighboring universities can show in the quality competition the top level at which we perform research, teach, and study together– and, above all, how we establish ingenious ideas through partnership.”
Joint journey continues
The University Alliance Ruhr will continue its cooperation in all areas. Beyond the Quality Strategy which promotes innovative research, there is prospective to broaden teaching through complementary offerings, to form collaborations in transfer or to jointly digitize administrative processes.
Next steps in the Quality Method
In the second funding line of the Excellence Strategy, applications as a “University of Quality” or “University Consortium of Excellence” can be sent until 12 November 2025. 10 title holders remain in the running in addition to 10 other prospects nationwide in addition to Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University. From 2027, approximately 15 Universities of Quality or University Consortia of Quality will be moneyed. They need to encourage with a total strategy that enhances their positioning in the worldwide research study environment. Above all, reliable management structures are required to make sure the capability for institutional renewal.
More information on the Quality Method