A networking event at Furtwangen University focused on how international talent can be integrated into the German job market. Prof. Dr. Julika Baumann-Montecinos presented the services offered by HFU. Image: Furtwangen University
Furtwangen University: Networking event on the employment of international students
The networking event organised by Furtwangen University (HFU) together with the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Welcome Centre was a great success. Under the heading “New potential − employing international students”, representatives from the university, companies and regional institutions came together to discuss the opportunities and challenges of employing international students. Thanks to a successful project application, HFU will receive funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) until 2028 as part of the “International Skilled Workers” campus initiative to focus intensively on this topic.
As part of the varied programme, Michaela Crispo (Welcome Center) as well as Samantha Sernatinger and Yunuen Baron (both HFU) presented offers for international talents and provided information on the legal framework and challenges as well as recommendations for integration into the labour market. A discussion with an Indian HFU graduate and a company representative offered the audience practical insights and first-hand reports. HFU representatives also presented various opportunities for cooperation between the university and companies.
In addition to the talks, the event offered a valuable platform for direct exchange between all participants. Numerous discussions and new networks illustrate the growing interest in employing international talent and the need for further cooperation.
The event impressively demonstrated that international students are an enrichment for companies and the regional economy. The participants were consistently positive and emphasised the relevance of the topic for sustainable labour market development. A key finding of this event was how essential German language acquisition is for international talent to enter the German labour market.