International Week 2026 at HSMW

Mittweida University of Applied Sciences welcomes students, higher education managers, and researchers from HSMW partner universities, as well as their colleagues, internationalisation champions, and all those interested in advancing international higher education cooperation, to the International Week “Strengthening Higher Education Partnerships for the Digital Transformation Era” from 8 to 12 June 2026.

International Week 2026 at HSMW focuses on strengthening higher education partnerships in the context of digital transformation. The profound digital shift is reshaping not only society and the economy but also the framework conditions for international collaboration in higher education.

Universities and their collaborations are part of complex, interdependent systems influenced not only by technological innovation but also by broader global developments – including geopolitical uncertainties, the rise of nationalist tendencies, shifting student and knowledge flows, and increasing scarcity of resources.

During International Week 2026 at HSMW, the focus will be on jointly developing strategies with partners and guests to make higher education partnerships more resilient, fair, and inclusive. Particular attention will be given to how digital transformation can serve as a driver for partnership development and for enhancing quality in higher education.

• Strengthening networks and partnerships while fostering new strategic collaborations
• Showcasing HSMW’s internationalisation initiatives
• Engaging with specific aspects of internationalisation, particularly in the context of higher education partnerships in the digital era
• Fostering innovation in internationalisation
• Providing a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and professional networking
• Connecting researchers
• Strengthening the European University Alliance EURECA-PRO

The full programme of the International Week 2026 will be provided in due course.

Our programme is designed to be engaging, interactive, and inspiring. It will include:

• Colloquium: Expert talks and discussions on higher education partnerships and digitaltransformation.
• World Café: Collaborative sessions exploring innovative approaches to partnerships andinternationalisation.
• Interactive Discovery of Mittweida: Guided tours and activities to experience the university town.
• Food Festival: A celebration of international cuisines and networking opportunities.
• Music Clash: Live performances showcasing diverse musical cultures.
• Excursions & Networking Sessions: Opportunities to connect with peers, practitioners, andresearchers.
• Paper and Poster Presentations: Share your research and learn from others.

University Fair: Partner universities will have the opportunity to present their institutions to students, promoting future mobility opportunities. They can share informational materials, interact with prospective incoming students, and actively showcase what their university has to offer.

We encourage you to actively participate, whether you are a researcher or an internationalisation practitioner. You are invited to submit a proposal of up to 500 words for a session lasting a maximum of 45 minutes, or a 250-word abstract for a paper presentation (up to 20 minutes) or poster presentation. Submissions are not limited to conventional formats; we especially encourage innovative and interactive forms of engagement, including formats you have developed yourself.

Thematically, submissions should relate to the challenge “Strengthening Higher Education Partnerships for the Digital Transformation”, which is intended as an inspiration rather than a restriction.

Session proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2026, while abstracts for papers or posters should reach us by 31 March 2026. Please email all submissions to hagenmei@hs-mittweida.de, and kindly copy karpiuk@hs-mittweida.de.

Are you planning to take part in HSMW's International Week? Then register directly via our registration form for the international Week!  Registrations close on 30 April.

There are no participation fees for International Week 2026 at HSMW. Guests are kindly asked to cover their own travel and accommodation costs and may finance their expenses through the Erasmus programme. A limited number of hotel rooms will be reserved at selected hotels for participants.

Registration is open until 30 April 2026. Please note that participation is limited to 60 guests due to high demand, and places will generally be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For questions regarding the programme and content, please contact Dr. Cornelius Hagenmeier, Head of Internationalisation. For organisational matters (travel, accommodation, etc.), please contact Daryna Karpiuk M.Sc., Project Coordinator.