Mission Statement Teaching and Learning

1. Human dignity, democracy, and freedom are the foundation of our education

Grounded by reliable science and research, the University of Cologne ensures and promotes professional, interdisciplinary education and skills, which is rooted in the responsibility for respecting human dignity and for preserving peace, freedom, equality, democracy, diversity and tolerance. Founded upon a humanistic view of humankind, the University of Cologne is guided by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. It understands education as a right to development, as well as an obligation to act in a socially responsible manner, and commits itself to educational equity and inclusion. This educational concept demands diversity awareness and resolutely opposes any form of discrimination.

2. We stand for unifying excellent research and teaching from the start

On the basis of nationally and internationally renowned basic and transformative research, science and innovation that is realized through the interplay of generations, the University of Cologne practices research-based teaching and learning from the start. In doing so, it utilizes its potential as a comprehensive university for excellent subject-specific and interdisciplinary education, as well as for the holistic promotion of skills that require knowledge of a variety of theories, models and methods, empowering students to apply and further develop these skills.

The University of Cologne promotes a scientific habitus characterized by critical, reflective, and rational thinking and action, as well as the perpetual pursuit of new knowledge. It is based on scientific and ethical integrity, the rules of good scientific practice, and is characterized by a systematic scientific approach. The University of Cologne also relies on an intradisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approach.

3. We stand for an inspiring and constantly-renewed culture of quality , teaching, and learning

The University of Cologne promotes and realizes educational and professionalization processes in cooperation with teachers and students. It commits to modernizing the teacher-learning culture and creating the best conditions and spaces for innovative teaching and learning. It promotes an inspiring, performance-oriented, participative and supportive teacher-learning culture,  as well as a culture of free discourse and debate, particularly characterized by mutual respect and constructive feedback. The University of Cologne ensures that all its stakeholders in teaching and learning, regardless of their socio-cultural backgrounds, individual circumstances and personal ambitions, can discover and develop their potential, talents, and interests and continue their education in flexible formats throughout their lives. Diversity is understood as inspiration for innovation and knowledge, and therefore promotes internationality, multilingualism, and interculturality, as well as study and career paths within and beyond academia.

4. We stand for social responsibility, dialogue, and transfer 

The University of Cologne cultivates all stakeholders in teaching and learning in order that they may contribute scientific findings that have a lasting impact on society and contribute solutions to the great challenges of our time.  As shapers of the future, stakeholders are also empowered to be resilient, to act as lifelong learners, and to lead successful and satisfied lives, both personally and professionally. They can contribute their competencies, knowledge, skills, and experiences as critical and constructive thinkers and  socially responsible European citizens in a team-oriented and communicative manner. They are enabled to initiate processes of renewal and to take responsibility for themselves and their community, society, and the environment.

A high degree of personal ethical and professional responsibility for all academic professions to which it professionalizes is an important concern at the University of Cologne. The decisions, judgments, and actions of these professionals can have a significant impact on the personal integrity of those entrusted to them, as well as on the living conditions and framework conditions of their fellow human beings. This is especially true for teacher education. For this reason, the University of Cologne creates the prerequisites for all students at the university to be able to acquire both differentiated and diverse knowledge about influences, consequences, and alternative courses of action, as well as to understand how to apply this knowledge in complex, dynamic, and sometimes seemingly contradictory situations.

The University of Cologne also supports the digital sovereignty of all stakeholders and works towards an informed, critically reflected, ethically and socially-responsible handling of small and big data as well as artificial intelligence. In this way, the University of Cologne realizes teaching and learning that, considering the past and present, orients itself toward the opportunities and challenges of the future. The University of Cologne approaches these challenges innovatively, creatively, and with initiative.