Japanese-German Partnership of the University of Passau Expands – Visiting Kobe and Osaka

Teacher Education Embracing Responsibility: First International Summer School for Student Teachers at the University of Passau

More than 25 student teachers from nine universities and five countries came together last week for the first international Summer School for student teachers at the University of Passau, titled “School in the Age of Uncertainty: Teaching the SDGs”.

The international week was opened on 29 June with a keynote by Prof. Dr. Dandy George Dampson (University of Education, Winneba), moderated by Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, as well as welcoming addresses by Prof. Dr. Markus Pissarek (ZLF Leadership Team), Prof. Dr. Werner Gamerith (Sustainability Officer), and Nina Ziegler (Student Representative Council for Teacher Education, StuVeLa).

Against the backdrop of pressing societal challenges, the future teachers spent one week working together on related educational questions and engaging in intensive exchange with colleagues, students, pupils and school leaders from different education systems. In addition to the accompanying workshops, the group made use of the diverse learning environment provided by the ZLF and presented their first joint results on Friday, including in the form of podcasts and screencasts.

A particular highlight was the work shadowing with pupils, teachers and principals from Johannes-Gutenberg-Gymnasium Waldkirchen (Dr. Andreas Schöps) and Auersperg-Gymnasium Freudenhain (Katharina Martin) in the middle of the week. In addition to gaining comprehensive insights into the sustainable integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) through a whole-institution approach, the participants were particularly impressed by the pupils involved in the FreiDay initiative, who presented their ongoing projects on topics such as mental health and ecological sustainability.

The programme also allowed participants to experience some of the touristic highlights of the city of Passau. Alongside a campus and city tour organised by university archivist Mario Puhane, the StuVeLa organised an international pub crawl on Thursday evening.

The programme was developed by the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on Diversity Research and Educational Spaces of Middle Childhood (Dr. Kathrin Eveline Plank), Angelika Herzog, Luise Kwak and Theres Denzinger from the fitESD.eu project, as well as the global.trex team (Hazal Dogudan, Matthias Fuchs and Ophelia Blake), with substantial support from the University’s International Office.

The event is an integral part of the “global.semester” initiative coordinated by Dr. Jonas Scharfenberg and marks the beginning of a series that will take place every summer semester in the future.

Participants of the 2026 Summer School at the University of Passau

Image of the result of the joint project work

A Transnational Bridge Builder: Prof. Dr. Dandy George Dampson as Guest Lecturer at the University of Passau

For the third time, educational scientist Prof. Dr. Dandy George Dampson is a guest at the University of Passau - this summer semester for the first time as a lecturer in the regular course program.

Dandy George Dampson is Professor of Educational Management and Teacher Education at the University of Education, Winneba (Ghana). Among other positions, he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Educational Studies and as Director of the Institute for Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Development. His research focuses on educational leadership, diversity and transcultural learning, as well as the impact of postcolonial and neocolonial processes on education systems. As a guest lecturer at the University of Hamburg and through further international teaching and research stays, he is strongly committed to advancing the internationalisation of teacher education.

In addition to his involvement in various teaching formats, including the international Summer School “School in the Age of Uncertainty”, Dandy George Dampson used his current stay to engage in academic exchange and further develop the institutional partnership. Together with Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, Dr. Jonas Scharfenberg and Dr. Kathrin Eveline Plank from the Chair of Educational Science, he prepared a research project in the field of comparative professionalisation research. He also exchanged ideas with students enrolled in the new Master’s programme “International Education & Global Learning” and, together with the Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity, Prof. Dr. Daniela Wawra, and Barbara Zacharias from the International Office, prepared the next steps for the visit of a delegation from the University of Education, Winneba, planned for October: The next visit of Prof. Dampson to the University of Passau is already scheduled for autumn this year!

For the third time, educational scientist Prof. Dr. Dandy George Dampson is a guest at the University of Passau - this summer semester for the first time as a lecturer in the regular course program.

Dandy George Dampson is Professor of Educational Management and Teacher Education at the University of Education, Winneba (Ghana). Among other positions, he has served as Dean of the Faculty of Educational Studies and as Director of the Institute for Teacher Education and Continuing Professional Development. His research focuses on educational leadership, diversity and transcultural learning, as well as the impact of postcolonial and neocolonial processes on education systems. As a guest lecturer at the University of Hamburg and through further international teaching and research stays, he is strongly committed to advancing the internationalisation of teacher education.

In addition to his involvement in various teaching formats, including the international Summer School “School in the Age of Uncertainty”, Dandy George Dampson used his current stay to engage in academic exchange and further develop the institutional partnership. Together with Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, Dr. Jonas Scharfenberg and Dr. Kathrin Eveline Plank from the Chair of Educational Science, he prepared a research project in the field of comparative professionalisation research. He also exchanged ideas with students enrolled in the new Master’s programme “International Education & Global Learning” and, together with the Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity, Prof. Dr. Daniela Wawra, and Barbara Zacharias from the International Office, prepared the next steps for the visit of a delegation from the University of Education, Winneba, planned for October: The next visit of Prof. Dampson to the University of Passau is already scheduled for autumn this year!

[Translate to Englisch:] Prof. Dr. Dandy Dampson

[Translate to Englisch:] Prof. Dr. Dandy Dampson im Seminar an der Uni Passau

Wir SHIP(p)ern nach Österreich!

Im Rahmen des Projekts „Students.Heterogenity.Inclusiveness.Potential (SHIP)“ besuchen Lehramts-Studierende aus Passau und Brno Wiener Begabungssiegel-Schulen

Im vierten Jahr des Erasmus-finanzierten Projekts „Students.Heterogenity.Inclusiveness.Potential (SHIP)“ beschäftigten Studierende und Mitarbeitende der Masaryk University, der KPH Wien/Niederösterreich und der Universität Passau sich ein Semester lang mit verschiedenen Aspekten der Inklusiven Begabungsförderung (IBF) und nahmen dabei insbesondere das konkrete schulische Umfeld sowie die Rolle interinstitutioneller Kooperationen in den Blick.

Im Anschluss an eine virtuelle Vorbereitungsphase kam die internationale Gruppe zwischen dem 4. und 8. Mai 2026 in Wien zusammen, um auf Basis der erarbeiteten Erkenntnisse verschiedene Schulen mit dem „Wiener Begabungssiegel“ zu hospitieren und entsprechende Analysen zu vertiefen. Dabei besuchte die Delegation nicht nur Einrichtungen wie die Mittelschule Hörnesgasse und die Volksschule Sacré Coeur Pressbaum, sondern hatte auch Gelegenheit beim „Stärkenfest“ im Wiener Rathaus teilzunehmen.

[Translate to Englisch:] Gruppenbild in Wien

Strengthening an Established International Collaboration

Delegation from Gordon College of Education visits Passau

Ariella Levenberg, Eli Vinokur, Anneliese Fraser, Markus Pissarek, Shadia Sbait (LTR)

The team from Prof. Hansen's chair with their guests

Shadia Sbait, Maximilian Sailer, Eli Vinokur, Ariella Levenberg, Jonas Scharfenberg (LTR)

The visit of colleagues Shaida Sbait, Ariella Levenberg, and Eli Vinokur in November provided an opportunity to further deepen the long-standing partnership between the two institutions and to elevate it to the next stage of development.

In meetings with the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Educational Sciences, Maximilian Sailer, as well as representatives of the Chair of Educational Sciences with a focus on Diversity Research and Educational Spaces of Middle Childhood (led by Christina Hansen), the Centre for Teacher Education, and the International Office of the University of Passau, discussions centered on expanding international research collaboration, strategically aligning master’s-level degree programs, and preparing for future joint funding applications.

Furthermore, substantial progress was achieved within ongoing collaborative research projects, and preparations were made for the upcoming visit of researchers from the University of Passau to Haifa.

SHIP project stops in Passau

colleagues and students from the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany explore gifted education and inclusive spatial concepts from a transnational perspective

Visitin Haidenhof elementary school (BegIN project school)

Visiting Haidenhof elementary school (BegIN project school)

Working on own inclusive learning space concepts: expanding expertise together

In the third project year of the BIP-funded project “Students.Heterogenity.Inclusiveness.Potential (SHIP)”, educational scientists and pre-service teachers from Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), KPH Vienna (Austria) and the University of Passau analyzed the role of space regarding the focus area of Inclusive Gifted Education (IGE).

After a joint digital preparation phase, the international group came together in Passau between May 19 and 23 to further deepen their knowledge using specific examples from the pedagogical field.

Together with Passau students, the delegation not only visited the Haidenhof elementary school (BegIN project school) and the Ilztalschule für Alle but the participants were also able to work on their own inclusive learning space concepts in the DiLab's MakerSpace.

Guest lecture: Bridging the Gap: Ghana’s Innovative Strategies for Equitable Teacher Training in Rural Communities

Exciting guest lecture on Tuesday, 03.06.2025 12:00 to 14:00h.

Detailed information here!

via Zoom: https://wonderl.ink/@lehramt.international

Following reciprocal working meetings in Japan’s Kansai region and in Passau last year, the Japanese-German partnerships of the University of Passau were further strengthened and expanded during a delegation trip at the end of March 2025.

09 May 2025 | Reading time: 2 min.

At Kobe University, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of Vice Presidents Hisashi Tamaki and Christina Hansen, as well as Dean Kiyoshi Umeya. An exchange agreement between various faculties of both institutions was also initiated. At Osaka Metropolitan University, the delegation—together with Vice President Hiroyuki Sakuragi, Prof. Dr. Kemma Tsujino, and representatives of the International Office—worked on establishing the corresponding contractual framework for future collaboration.

Kobe University already partner in "global.trex"

A key focus of the partnership with both universities is on teacher education. Kobe University is already a partner in Passau’s mobility program for teaching students, “global.trex.” Starting in 2026, students will be able to complete a DAAD-funded semester abroad there, which includes a school internship at the university’s affiliated campus school. In addition, further funding and exchange programs were initiated during the discussions at both institutions.

Since 2024, teaching students from the University of Passau have been regularly supported during internships at the German International School in Kobe. During the delegation's visit, a group of Passau student interns was already on-site. They were warmly welcomed by Prof. Dr. Hiro Inoue and students of Kobe University, along with Christina Hansen and Kathrin Eveline Plank, and invited on a campus and city tour.

There is also an active research and teaching collaboration between staff members of the Japanese institutions and the Chair of Education with a focus on diversity studies and educational spaces in middle childhood at the University of Passau. In this context, the delegation’s visit also served to prepare a joint teaching format on Holocaust education and to engage in a comparative spatial research project

Teacher Education Programme international in the winter semester 2024/25 – a series of events for teacher training students

In the current winter semester 24/25, teacher training students at the University of Passau will once again be offered a wide range of information and advice, as well as numerous opportunities to gain international experience directly on campus, for example through guest lectures by international colleagues such as Professor Kemma Tsujino (Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan).

You can register directly at Stud.IP: https://studip.uni-passau.de/studip/dispatch.php/course/details?sem_id=32105f6efb658c930483e27e33486a01&again=yes

Long-standing partnership continues to develop – with Muskingum University in Ohio, USA, as a guest

The long-standing partnership between the University of Passau and Muskingum University in Ohio, USA, has already been opened up for teacher training in the past – now, with representatives of the Chair of Educational Science – namely Kathrin Plank and Jonas Scharfenberg – and as part of the global.trex programme, a sustainable establishment for joint research work and for ‘students exchange’ has been achieved. Together with the Vice President for Internationalisation, this has laid another important foundation for the internationalisation of teacher education at the University of Passau. Students have reason to be pleased: from now on, another door to the world is open to them.

Accompanied by Valerie Smith (Director of Cultural Engagement & Inclusion), further goals for cooperation were discussed in an exchange with Provost Jennifer Dugan, Vice President Shelley Szalay, and representatives of the Department of Education, the Impact Center and the World Language Center, in order to lay the appropriate groundwork for revising the contractual framework and further developing reciprocal mobility formats.

In addition to guest lectures and a workshop with local students, the stay was also used to engage with visiting students from Passau and to observe their internships at schools. In New Concord, the education researchers also had the opportunity to gain a significant insight into the inclusive concept of the partner higher education institution by participating in a student accessibility tour.

Nara meets Passau - Educational scientist Yuta Nagumo visits teacher training at the University of Passau

f.l.t.r.: Jonas Scharfenberg, Christina Hansen, Yuta Nagumo, Eva Rutter, Sophia Pöcheim, Kathrin Plank; Foto: privat

Following a visit to Nara University of Education in Japan in the spring of this year, representatives of the teacher training program have now made a return visit. On July 15 and 16 of this year, Yuta Nagumo was warmly welcomed to the University of Passau. Mr Nagumo, who works at the International Strategy Center of the Nara National Institute of Higher Education and Research, visited the university in order to strengthen the existing cooperation between the two institutions in the long term and to discuss further collaboration.

One focus of the visit was to concretize the planning already initiated in Japan in March for a Spring and Autumn School for student teachers from the University of Passau at Nara University of Education, which is to take place for the first time in 2025. During the visit, potential teaching formats and participation in a research project were discussed alongside possible joint application activities.

Teacher Education at the University of Passau welcomes Japanese educational scientist Kemma Tsujino to deepen international cooperation

f.l.t.r.: Sabine Blake, Sophia Pöcheim, Matthias Fuchs, Christina Hansen, Kemma Tsujino, Maximilian Sailer, Jonas Scharfenberg, Eva Rutter, Anneliese Fraser, Kathrin Plank; Foto: privat

On the initiative of the Chair of Education with a focus on diversity research and educational spaces of middle childhood, the Japanese educational scientist Kemma Tsujino from Osaka Metropolitan University (Japan) was warmly welcomed to campus by representatives of the University of Passau on July 10, 2024. Professor Tsujino, who works at the Graduate School of Literature and Human Sciences in the Department of Human Behavioral Sciences, visited the University in order to further expand the cooperation already initiated between the two institutions and to consolidate the partnership between the University of Passau and Osaka Metropolitan University in the long term.

One focus of the visit was participation in an international research project in the field of professionalization research, which was initiated at a meeting in Japan in spring 2024. In addition to the initiatives already underway, further opportunities for collaboration in research and teaching were also discussed. In addition to an exchange on content-related connections, including in the areas of democracy education, educational disadvantage and spaces for participation, specific teaching formats were also discussed.

Teaching in the Age of Bots? Guest stay of the Israeli educational scientist Dr. Ariella Levenberg in the summer term 2024

f.l.t.r.: Sophia Pöcheim, Jonas Scharfenberg, Ariella Levenberg, Christina Hansen, Kathrin Plank, Eva Rutter, Adam Fijalkowski; Foto: privat

How is the educational space of schools changing due to the increasing availability of artificial intelligence in our everyday lives, what does this mean for the understanding of teachers' roles and fields of action, and what requirements for sustainable teacher training can be derived from this? These and other questions were the focus of Dr. Ariella Levenberg's visit in July 2024. The Israeli colleague was warmly welcomed to campus by colleagues from teacher education at the University of Passau on the initiative of the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research and educational spaces in middle childhood. The Chair, headed by Vice President Christina Hansen, has maintained a lively cooperation with the Gordon College of Education in Haifa for many years.

In addition to a visit to the Active Learning Lab and a tour of the Didactic Innovation Labs (DILAB) led by Christian Müller, the guest also had the opportunity to meet with the Chair and Vice President for International Affairs, Europe and Diversity, Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, the Managing Directors of the Centre for Teacher Education (ZLF), Anneliese Fraser and Matthias Fuchs, as well as representatives of the Digitalization Hub of the University, the Invitation to Teacher Training Centre (ZLF). in Christina Hansen, the managing directors of the Centre for Teacher Education (ZLF), Anneliese Fraser and Matthias Fuchs, as well as representatives of the university's digitalization hub, the inviting chair and the ZLF's Internationalization department to discuss current challenges in teacher education from a global perspective. In particular, the importance of democratic learning in the post-digital age, the further development of digital learning spaces and the corresponding professionalization of teachers were discussed, as well as possibilities for further joint research and teaching formats.

Internationalizing Teacher Education in the summer semester 2024 - a series of events for student teachers

Poster Events International Teaching Summer Semester 2024

In the summer semester, student teachers at the University of Passau will once again be offered a wide range of information and advice. They can also gain direct international experience on campus, for example as part of the 'Educational Journeys' with an insight into the education system in Ghana from the perspective of a former pupil or as part of the guest lectures by Prof. Dr. Dandy Dampson (University of Education Winneba, Ghana), Prof. Dr. Chris Reddy and Dr. Zelda Barends (Stellenbosch University).

In addition, various advisory and information formats will be offered, for example on international internships, financing issues and application procedures.

Mobility programs for Bavarian and Japanese Student Teachers become specific: A visit in Kobe and Nara

Visit at Kobe University in central Japan.

Visit to Nara University of Education south of Japan.

German International School Kobe (DISK) central Japan

Following the initial initiation in autumn 2023, a stay in Kobe and Nara was made possible as part of the global.trex project in order to specify mobility programs for Bavarian and Japanese student teachers and to explore joint research interests within the field of Teacher Education.

Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen (Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity, Head of the Chair of Educational Science) and Dr. Kathrin Eveline Plank (Deputy Head of the ZLF Internationalization Department) accepted the invitations from Nara University of Education in Southern Honshu and the Kobe University in central Japan.

In Nara, the guests from Passau had the opportunity to discuss the general potential of a partnership between the institutions with Prof. Maeda Koji (VP for International Relations and Regional Partnerships), Prof. Dr. Yoshimura Masahito (General Director), Prof. Dr. Yoriko Hashizaki and Yuta Nagumo (Senior Lecturers). Furthermore the scientists exchanged professional interests in the field of comparative educational research and talked about possible funding programs. As one result, specific mobility formats (e.g. a spring school for Passau students in Nara) have already been specified.

The Vice President's invitation to Kobe University by Dean Prof. Dr. Fumiko Fujinami (Graduate School of Intercultural Studies & Faculty of Global Human Sciences) and Prof. Dr. Hirotaka Inouye (Graduate School of Intercultural Studies) was also used to discuss potential areas of cooperation in the field of Teacher Education, inter alia in the context of foreign language training. The idea of an onboarding program at the Kobe Campus for Passau students completing their internship in Kobe is now to be further developed.

In addition to observing other internship options, the contractual and organizational framework conditions for the internship program starting in late summer 2024 were prepared together with Alex Inman, principal of the German International School Kobe (DISK).

Guest Lecture Prof. Dr. Dandy George Dampson (University of Education, Winneba/ Ghana)

"Towards a Transnational and Inclusive Teacher Education in Ghana: The Next Agenda"/ 16.01.24

Prof. Dr. Dandy George Dampson (University of Education in Winneba/ Ghana)

On Tuesday, 16.01.24, Prof. Dr Dandy George Dampson will discuss inclusive educational development in Ghana in light of recent educational reforms. This is part of Prof. Dr Christina Hansen's lecture.

The reforms have caused a paradigm shift in the Ghanaian education system, especially in teacher training. Abstract

During his lecture, Professor Dempson will provide insight into the history and current state of the education system in Ghana. He will also explore potential solutions and the possibility of transnational teacher education, with a particular focus on promoting inclusivity and diversity. Join the lecture at 12:15pm in HS1.

Award for contribution to the Internationalisation of the University of Passau 2023

Prof. Dr. Werner Gamerith, Commissioner for Transfer and Internal Integration with the Cross-Functional Task of Sustainability, presents the award to Dr. Kathrin Evelyn Plank

The University of Passau has defined internationalisation as a central element of its profile. It can build on existing measures and the commitment of its members.In addition, incentives should be created to actively participate in the fulfilment of this strategic core task. The University of Passau has been honouring university members who have made a special contribution to the internationalisation of the university once a year since 2013. This is in line with the internationalisation strategy, which focuses on sustainable forms of cooperation that increase the university's international visibility.

The prize amount is

1,000 euros.

Dr Kathrin Evelyn Plank, Academic Councillor at the Chair of Educational Science, has been working for years to establish and consolidate international partnerships and networks, develop and acquire mobility and exchange programmes for students and staff, design support services, advisory and information formats, and acquire third-party funding. Her commitment has significantly increased the participation of Passau's student teachers in international formats. The award was presented by Prof Dr Werner Gamerith.

Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, Vice President and Head of the ZLF "Internationalisation" department visited to Osaka and Kobe (Japan) as part of the global.trex project

Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, Vice President and Head of the ZLF "Internationalisation" department visited to Osaka and Kobe (Japan)

In addition to visiting various universities - Osaka University, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, Hyogo University of Teacher Education Kobe and Kobe University - Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen also had the opportunity to attend meetings at the Goethe-Institut Osaka.

The stay was used to initiate and consolidate contractual framework conditions for international exchange and to explore specific mobility options for student teachers, staff and researchers, including the possibility of an internship at the DSK International School in Osaka.

In addition, potential participation opportunities in the international comparative study InVers were discussed with colleagues from the aforementioned universities. The focus was also on discussions about further fields of research that would enable sustainable cooperation between the countries, institutions and colleagues in connection with international teacher education.

Thinking inclusion across borders: Czech teacher trainers at the University of Passau

Visit from the Czech delegation

Representatives of the further education organisation Ucitel naživo, based in Prague, organised an excursion week for teacher trainers in Passau together with the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research and the ZLF Department of Internationalisation.

On 10 October, the delegation was warmly welcomed to campus by Vice President Christina Hansen and Ophelia Blake. Under the umbrella of inclusive education, the participants had the opportunity to discuss different perspectives from research and practice in lectures and workshops by Sophia Pöcheim and Kathrin Plank before spending a week visiting schools and other institutions in the city and district on this basis.

Inclusive teacher education from an international perspective - Sophia Pöcheim and Kathrin Eveline Plank as guests at Masaryk University in Brno (Czech Republic)

[Translate to Englisch:] Inklusive Lehrer*innen-Bildung aus internationaler Perspektive - Sophia Pöcheim und Kathrin Eveline Plank zu Gast an der Masaryk University in Brno (Tschechische Republik)

Inclusive teacher education from an international perspective - Sophia Pöcheim and Kathrin Eveline Plank as guests at Masaryk University in Brno (Czech Republic)

The two members of the Passau Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research and educational spaces of middle childhood, headed by Vice President Christina Hansen, were able to accept an invitation from Masaryk University in Brno in October 2023.

Together with colleagues Ivana Juzová and Lucie Procházková, the stay was used to consolidate and further differentiate the existing cooperation between the two institutions.

In addition to a guest lecture and several workshops for international and Czech students, a number of strategic meetings were planned. Among other things, the second mobility phase in the BIP cooperation project between the two universities was planned and conceptual work on ongoing application procedures was further advanced.

Passau students visit the KPH Vienna/Krems together with colleagues from the Czech Republic and Austria in the BIP programme Students.Heterogenity.Inclusiveness.Potential (SHIP)

with the topic "Inclusion and Heterogeneity in an International Context"

Passau students and colleagues from the Czech Republic and Austria visit the KPH Vienna/Krems. Photos: Private

In cooperation with Masaryk University (Brno) and the KPH Vienna/Krems, Czech, Austrian and German students will work together intensively for one semester each in digital and face-to-face phases during the three-year project phase in order to deal with inclusive talent promotion in an international comparison. The first Passau students travelled to Vienna for the kick-off event in the summer semester of 2023. In the summer semester 2024, up to ten students from our university will be travelling to Brno (CZ). More about BIP ERASMUS+ Programme - SHIP

Professionalization through Internationalization

Visit of the Israeli educational scientist Dr Nitza Schwabsky in the summer semester 2023

In July 2023, the Chair of Educational Science with a Focus on Diversity Research warmly welcomed Dr Nitza Schwabsky to Passau as a representative of the Gordon College of Education (Haifa/Israel) to work together on the further development of the long-standing cooperation.

The Israeli colleague completed her doctorate on education policy and management at the University of Oregon (USA) and is particularly interested in the professionalization of educational leaders. She has published in relevant journals such as the Journal of Educational Psychology and the International Journal of Educational Management and is currently Vice President of Gordon College.

As a guest at the Chair, the educational scientist had the opportunity to discuss issues such as the professionalisation of educational specialists, current challenges for teacher education and regional concepts for dealing with them with the Head of the Chair and Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity, Prof. Dr Christina Hansen, and the Dean of Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Education, Prof. Dr Gabriele Schellberg, as well as with Prof. Dr Matthias Brandl and Matthias Fuchs as representatives of the Centre for Teacher Education.

In addition, Nitza Schwabsky discussed the quality of current mobility formats for staff and students as well as potential continuation and expansion with representatives of the inviting chair, the ZLF Internationalisation Department (Ophelia Blake, Dr Kathrin Plank) and the Head of the International Office, Barbara Zacharias.

The educational scientist also used the time to visit the Didactic Innovation Labs (DILAB) at the University of Passau and to discuss new approaches to AI-based teaching and research with Christian Müller and other colleagues.

Visit of Israeli educational scientist Dr. Nitza Schwabsky. Photo: private

In the spirit of European dialogue - educational historian Prof. Dr Adam Fijałkowski visits Passau

In June 2023, the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research welcomed Adam Fijałkowski, historian of education and head of the Chair of History and Philosophy of Education at the University of Warsaw, to the University of Passau as a guest researcher.

In addition to the history of education and its representatives (including Janusz Korczak and Jan Amos Comenius), the history of European universities and systematic textbook research are among Prof Dr Adam Fijałkowski's main areas of research and work. He is the author of over one hundred publications in Polish, English and German and conducts research in libraries in Poland as well as in Berlin, Wolfenbüttel, Braunschweig, Marburg, Constance, Vienna and the Vatican.

As a guest at the Chair, the researcher not only led a seminar for teacher training students focusing on the Polish (reform) educator Janusz Korzcak and thus following on from a joint event including an excursion to Warsaw and an international symposium at the University of Passau in the summer semester of 2022, but also gave a guest lecture on 13 June at 12:30 on the topic of "Comenius and Korczak - pedagogical understanding beyond the boundaries of time and space".

The visit was also used to work on a joint publication, to exchange ideas with colleagues from different faculties and chairs and to discuss the possible continuation of mobility formats for students and lecturers.

Univ. Professor Dr. Adam Fijałkowski as a guest in Passau Photo: Florian Stelzer - University of Passau

Prof. Dr. Chris Reddy and Dr. Zelda Barends from Stellenbosch University (South Africa) visited the University of Passau

Researching and teaching together: The renowned educational scientist Professor Chris Reddy and his colleague Dr. Zelda Barends from Stellenbosch University (South Africa) taught and conducted research at the University of Passau in December

In December 2022, the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research and educational spaces of middle childhood, headed by Prof. Dr Christina Hansen, welcomed Prof. Dr Chris Reddy and his colleague Dr Zelda Barends to the University of Passau. In addition to the professionalisation of teachers, education for sustainable development in particular is one of the central research and work focuses of Prof. Dr Chris Reddy, who, among other things, coordinates the Environmental Education Programme at Stellenbosch University (EEPUS), a unit that carries out research and development work as part of the faculty's social impact. Dr Zelda Barend's research interests lie in the field of early childhood education with a particular focus on aspects of literacy and multilingualism as well as the professional development of primary school teachers.

"The cooperation with Prof. Reddy and Dr. Barends was established in 2018 and is geared towards research and teaching. On the one hand, Prof. Reddy and Dr. Barends from the University of Stellenbosch took part in our international comparative study on the motivation to choose a teacher training course. On the other hand, we have been opening up very good internship and study opportunities for our students in South Africa for years thanks to our good cooperation, which is supervised locally by Elzette Calitz. The exchange visit to the University of Passau served to continue and deepen our research work in the field of professionalisation research," says Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, Head of the Department, on the central areas of cooperation.

As guests at the Chair, Reddy and Barends presented their work in a guest lecture and also offered workshops for trainee teachers and trainee teachers.

Visit of Prof. Dr. Chris Reddy and Dr. Zelda Barends, Stellenbosch University (South Africa) at the University of Passau. Photo: University of Passau. Sophia Pöcheim, Dr. Tamara Rachbauer, Prof. Dr. Christina Hansen, Prof. Dr. Chris Reddy, Barbara Zacharias, Dr. Zelda Barends, Anika Sodemann, Elzette Calitz

Visit of Dr. Hava Vidergor from Gordon College of Education (Israel)

Israel visiting Passau in the summer semester 2022 - Guest lectureship by educational scientist Dr Hava Vidergor from the Gordon College of Education

In June 2022, Dr Hava Vidergor taught as a guest lecturer at the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research and educational spaces in middle childhood under the direction of Prof. Dr Christina. The focus was on inclusive approaches to promoting giftedness in the school context and a multifaceted insight into the education system and teacher training in Israel.

In addition to a guest lecture and various workshops for students, Ms Vidergor was also able to contribute her expertise to the project "BegIN - Inclusive Gifted Education in Lower Bavaria (BegIN)". The stay was also used to discuss joint research activities and existing mobility formats.

Dr Hava Vidergor visited the Chair of Educational Science with a focus on diversity research and educational spaces in middle childhood

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Guest lectures and events

Exciting guest lecture on Tuesday, 03.06.2025 12:00 to 14:00h.

Detailed information here!

Kobe University already partner in "global.trex"