Mission statement for teaching

Teaching at the University of Passau is delivered with the objective of enabling education through scholarship. All members of the University share in this mission. Critical appraisal – of knowledge, of the conditions for its formation and of its scope of validity – is vital for the University as a place of science. Students are guided towards the processes of research and empowered to help shape our modern knowledge society.

Students acquire discipline-specific, methodological and social competences as they progress through their study programme. The University supports this by placing a focus on research, introducing interdisciplinary elements and offering opportunities for practical and international experience. Our teaching and learning formats foster reflexivity, teamwork and independent thought. Students take an active hand and assume responsibility for organising their individual programme of study; in this, they are guided and supported by their lecturers. The University provides the infrastructure and training measures for lecturers, which are continually revised and updated so as to be in line with the state of the Art. Our teaching, whether in a classroom setting or using a digital teaching format, is subjected to continuous critical review and optimisation. Our teaching conveys the principles of the scholarly method, emphasising academic rigour, the pursuit of insight, critical thinking, risk awareness and control of uncertainty as well as respect for intellectual property rights.

Globally networked societies require open-mindedness and respectful interaction vis-à-vis other cultures. The University seeks to enhance the intercultural competences of its members and, therefore, considers internationalisation in teaching to be a core objective. The University fosters a culture that welcomes people from all cultures and regions. All students are afforded a multitude of opportunities to complement their studies with international experiences – be it at one of our partner universities abroad or right here on our own campus.

The University of Passau sees itself as a traditional university that conducts its teaching face-to-face on campus but that nevertheless views digital formats as integral to its teaching. Lecturers define learning objectives in accordance with the requirements of the German higher education qualification framework (Qualifikationsrahmen für Deutsche Hochschulabschlüsse [German content]; HQR). Lecturers and students work together to ensure the success of teaching and learning. Learning outcomes, teaching and examinations are competence-oriented and aligned with each other. Frequent evaluations aid in the appraisal and continuous improvement of degree programmes and teaching. All organisational processes affecting students, such as enrolment and examination organisation, are regularly reviewed for quality and efficiency. The University provides students with a wide range of professional advice services.

In applying the Fair Play Guidelines and the Diversity Policy [German content], all members of the University commit themselves to a non-discriminatory conduct, including in teaching design and implementation. Interactions with others are characterised by mutual respect, appreciation and open-mindedness regardless of gender, language, ethnicity, origin, ideological or religious orientation, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical and mental ability, assistance needs or personal circumstances. Teaching, examinations, guidance and advice are delivered in accordance with the principles of non-discrimination, accessibility and transparency and are developed further over time.