Freie Universität Berlin has traditionally maintained close partnerships with the southern Mediterranean region, especially with universities in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian territories. Since 2010 Freie Universität Berlin has had a liaison office in Cairo, which has played a key role in establishing partnerships in the Arab countries and continues to support these partnerships. The current conflict in the Middle East presents great challenges for Freie Universität Berlin’s exchange programs. Due to the war and travel restrictions, visits to the region are very limited.
Nevertheless, Freie Universität Berlin continues to maintain Erasmus partnerships with universities in the southern Mediterranean region: Cairo University, the American University of Cairo, Ain Shams University (all in Egypt); the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, and the University of Haifa (all in Israel); the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, and Saint Joseph University of Beirut (all in Lebanon); the University of Jordan and Yarmouk University (both in Jordan); and Birzeit University and Al-Quds University (both in the Palestinian territories). In addition, the university has an Erasmus partnership with Sultan Qaboos University in Oman and is currently establishing a new partnership with the University of Sulaimani in Iraq.
Freie Universität Berlin will also use the funds to strategically intensify its relations with universities on the African continent in the coming years. Many professors at Freie Universität Berlin are already cooperating with universities in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, the university has Erasmus+ partnerships with fourteen universities in Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
As a member of the Berlin University Alliance (BUA), Freie Universität has continued to expand its relations with African partners through the Berlin Center for Global Engagement, which is organized by BUA. The aim is to follow the principles of equitable academic relationships in several research fields that play a strategic role in economic and social transformation, such as global health, climate justice, and theoretical debates from the Global South.
Employees of Freie Universität Berlin can apply for staff exchanges funded by Erasmus+ programs. The possibilities include teaching mobility and exchanges for further training and job shadowing. A large part of the funds is also available to partner universities in the regions to be used for student and staff exchanges with Freie Universität.
Approved Regions and Countries:
- Region 1: Western Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro)
- Region 2: Eastern Neighbors (Armenia, Georgia, Moldavia, Ukraine)
- Region 3: Southern Mediterranean (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine)
- Region 4: Russia (funds can be transferred to Region 2)
- Region 5: Asia (Bangladesh)
- Region 7: Middle East (Iraq, Oman)
- Region 9: Sub-Saharan Africa (Botswana, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania)
- Region 11: Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Cuba)
- Region 12: Canada and USA
(Exchange is only possible with the partner universities named in the application and in the call for proposals.)
The Latin words veritas, justitia, and libertas, which frame the seal of Freie Universität Berlin, stand for the values that have defined the academic ethos of Freie Universität since its founding in December 1948.
