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When students and universities work together
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Student organisations represent the interests of the biggest and most important group of individuals in the academic community. At local, national and European level, they make key contributions to the development of individual universities and the higher education landscape as a whole, and consequently to students themselves. 

ESN Germany currently consists of 44 groups or sections, as they are known, throughout Germany and is itself one of altogether 41 national organisations in the Erasmus Students’ Network. One of ESN’s tasks is to represent international students and in this way create opportunities for cultural understanding and personal development. 

ESN is based in Brussels, where the International Board and Secretariat also operate. The non-profit international student organisation is supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

More information is available at: https://www.esn-germany.de (English)

[Translate to English:] Logo ESN
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ESN Germany

Text: Thomas Moch, President of ESN Germany (until 30 June 2023)

Portrait photo of Thomas Moch, former President ESN (until 30.06.2023)
©privat

Thomas Moch
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Together with the European University Association (EUA), the European Association of Institutions of Higher Education (EURASHE) and the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) we are the so-called E4, a group of key players in higher education at European level. We also collaborate with other university associations in certain areas; for example, we are working with the European University Foundation (EUF) to find a different way to calculate Erasmus scholarships in order to cover actual living expenses and tuition fees in the host city. We work with individual universities mainly in the context of projects that are concerned with such topics as student well-being or Green Erasmus.

When we collaborate as a students’ organisation with European organisations that represent universities, they benefit from this because the students’ organisation offers them support in terms of the specific topic, the concrete initiative or a certain project. For universities working with us on projects, this kind of collaboration gives them the opportunity to include students’ perspectives in their work and help shape project outcomes and achievements. Another advantage is our pan-European network, which allows us to communicate the results of our project to a wider audience of student activists, which they can use as a source of inspiration or reference point for their own endeavours.

As an organisation that represents students, it is normal that our positions differ from those of the organisations that represent universities. However, when we achieve common positions, these have the strength and legitimacy to be supported by the organisations that represent the two most important groups in higher education. This also increases the likelihood that they will be addressed by decision-makers. The added value of project collaboration with universities is that students learn about the challenges of implementing student-centred policies from the perspective of university administration, and they can work together to find ways to overcome these challenges.

Founded in 2014, the VDSI is an amalgamation of 16 of the biggest student initiatives in Germany, including ESN Germany. With 350 local groups at 83 universities in the country, it represents a large proportion of students who are active outside university settings. 

As an umbrella organisation, the VDSI is particularly committed to increasing the recognition of student engagement by universities, society and policymakers. It is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main.

More information is available at: https://www.vdsi.org (German)

[Translate to English:] Logo VDSI

Association of German Students’ Initiatives

Text: Michel Böhm, board member of the VDSI

Portrait photo of Matteo Vespa, former President ESU (until 30.06.2023)
[Translate to English:] ©VDSI 

Michael Böhm
Email

The branches of the student initiatives represented in the VDSI already collaborate with universities in all kinds of ways, or they provide fellow students with the services universities themselves are unable to provide. These cover a wide range of topics, for example they organise career fairs, support international students and prepare students for their careers through seminars and workshops or networking opportunities with future employers.

The dedicated students also play an active role in shaping social life on campus through their activities. This creates a special interdisciplinary bond for the volunteers, because students from different disciplines come together in the initiatives, and studying becomes a special experience. At the same time, the volunteers also contribute towards the universities’ positive reputation. This is why our initiatives would like to have easier access to university resources and infrastructure so that they can offer even more (sophisticated) events, that are also open to a wider section of the student body.

When volunteering, the students themselves develop a wide variety of skills that give them an advantage over competitors in job interviews. These can be teamwork and project management skills, the ability to handle criticism and conflict management skills but also intercultural competences. Student engagement therefore complements the universities’ academic programmes and makes volunteers desirable employees.

Furthermore, committed students discover the value of democratic participation. Each branch of each initiative is democratically organised, many even as independent associations. This means that elections are held regularly and certain obligations must be fulfilled if associations or initiatives are to be successfully managed and developed. This happens not only at board level, but also in every decision-making process. All ideas and decisions are reached and recognised in an inclusive and transparent manner.

Founded in 1982 under the name Western European Students Information Bureau, the European Studentsʼ Union (ESU) is the umbrella organisation of 45 national student representations in 40 countries. Its mission is to represent and promote the educational, social, economic and cultural interests of students at European level in all relevant bodies and stakeholder groups. 

The ESU is headquartered in Brussels. It is supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union and the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe.

For more information is available at: https://www.esu-online.org (English)

European Students’ Union

Text: Matteo Vespa, President of the ESU (until 30 June 2023)

Portrait photo of Matteo Vespa, former President ESU (until 30.06.2023)
©privat

Matteo Vespa
Email

Together with the European University Association (EUA), the European Association of Institutions of Higher Education (EURASHE) and the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) we are the so-called E4, a group of key players in higher education at European level. We also collaborate with other university associations in certain areas; for example, we are working with the European University Foundation (EUF) to find a different way to calculate Erasmus scholarships in order to cover actual living expenses and tuition fees in the host city. We work with individual universities mainly in the context of projects that are concerned with such topics as student well-being or Green Erasmus.

When we collaborate as a students’ organisation with European organisations that represent universities, they benefit from this because the students’ organisation offers them support in terms of the specific topic, the concrete initiative or a certain project. For universities working with us on projects, this kind of collaboration gives them the opportunity to include students’ perspectives in their work and help shape project outcomes and achievements. Another advantage is our pan-European network, which allows us to communicate the results of our project to a wider audience of student activists, which they can use as a source of inspiration or reference point for their own endeavours.

As an organisation that represents students, it is normal that our positions differ from those of the organisations that represent universities. However, when we achieve common positions, these have the strength and legitimacy to be supported by the organisations that represent the two most important groups in higher education. This also increases the likelihood that they will be addressed by decision-makers. The added value of project collaboration with universities is that students learn about the challenges of implementing student-centred policies from the perspective of university administration, and they can work together to find ways to overcome these challenges.

Student organisations active in Germany (selection)

Association des États Généraux des Étudiants de l’Europe (AEGEE)
Email
Website: https://www.aegee.org

Erasmus Mundus Students and Alumni Association (EMA)
Email
Website: https://www.em-a.eu

Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Germany
Email
Website: https://esn-germany.de

European Students’ Union (ESU)
Email
Website: https://esu-online.org

freier zusammenschluss von student*innenschaften (fzs) e. V. free association of student bodies)
Email
Website: https://www.fzs.de/

Verband deutscher Studierendeninitiativen (VDSI) (Association of German Students’ Initiatives)
Email
Website: https://www.vdsi.org

Author: Marcus Klein

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