Today in particular, the University of Bayreuth is confronted with many new challenges. When trust in science and its institutions declines, it affects us as a university in particular. Phenomena such as fake news and filter bubbles, but also new forms of the reception of knowledge have an effect on us, as do digitization, internationalization, and the simultaneous emergence of nationalism, urbanisation, and demographic change. In this paper we wish to provide answers to how the University of Bayreuth is meeting these challenges.
The drafting and updating of such a plan is required by law. However, it also expresses our obligation and commitment to further develop the University and pursue our goals. These goals are written down transparently for everyone. In order to achieve them, various measures are to be planned and implemented over the coming years. We deliberately refrain from presenting them here in order to emphasise the long-term validity of our strategic orientation.
A coordinated process was initiated at the beginning of 2017 to formulate the new Structure & Development Plan and the new Mission Statement. In a major effort involving all member groups of the University of Bayreuth, taking into account all the different points of view, the great expertise on campus was condensed and transferred to the following pages.
The University would like to incorporate part of the goals formulated in the structural and development plan into the target agreement with the Bavarian State Ministry for Science and the Arts. This is intended to secure and increase the performance of the Bavarian universities.
