FAQ on Peer-to-Peer Strategy Consulting

On this page we answer questions about the Peer-to-Peer Strategy Consulting of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung. Universities can apply for the 4th round of strategy consulting with an expression of interest until June 30, 2020. 

Brainstorming phase at the HTW Berlin while visiting the university. Photo: Alexander Rentsch

Questions about the call for applications

Q: What does "strategies for digitization in teaching and learning" mean?

A: Strategies for digitization in teaching and learning are aimed at the modern and innovative development of teaching and learning. The basis for this is the creation and development of a concrete profile for the university in the digital age as well as concrete measures for the strategic, university-specific further development of studies and teaching (motivation of teachers, support structures, resources, etc.). Writing and deciding on a single strategy paper is less important than creating a profile for the university and implementing it in concrete measures. Digitization must never be an end in itself and should be considered a cross-cutting issue.

Q: As a university we want to develop a university-wide strategy for research, teaching and administration. Is this covered in the program?

A: At the core of the program is the strategic development of study and teaching. Research and administration are taken into account to the extent that they are clearly related to the strategic development of study and teaching. The program cannot simply consider research or administration.

Q: How are the universities selected?

A: The universities are selected by a selection committee consisting of the steering committee of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung and external experts. A key factor in the selection process is that the university must be able to formulate clear goals for the design of study and teaching in the digital age and convincingly demonstrate how the process of peer-to-peer strategy consulting can sustainably support the development and subsequent implementation of measures that serve to achieve these goals.

This also means that peer-to-peer strategy consulting can be useful both for universities that are already very successful in the context of digitization in studies and teaching and, if necessary, are primarily aiming for further developments in specific areas, and for universities that are only just starting out and want to tackle comprehensive change management. However, initial strategic approaches and measures should be available that can be reflected in the consulting process. 

Key criteria in the selection process are a 1) coherent overall concept, 2) clear challenges and goals, 3) appropriate preparatory work, 4) the sustainability of the consulting process, and 5) convincing measures to involve all the players and status groups relevant to digitization in teaching and learning.

Application process

Q: Can universities submit an expression of interest if they have already applied in previous years and were not selected for the peer-to-peer process?

A: Yes, universities that have already submitted an expression of interest in previous rounds of calls for proposals and were not selected can also submit an expression of interest again. This also applies to universities that have applied for the state program in Baden-Württemberg.

Q: How should the expression of interest be structured and what information should it contain?

A: The expression of interest should outline the state of development of the debate on the further development of study and teaching in the digital age as well as previous activities of digital teaching and learning, identify a maximum of two strategic focus topics with the associated goals of the university and explain a concrete strategic challenge that is to be addressed with the help of peer-to-peer strategy consulting. In addition, it should be explained how peer-to-peer strategy consulting is integrated into the development of the university and how it is sustainably anchored in the further development of university strategies and concrete implementation measures. Measures to involve all relevant actors and status groups in the consultation process must also be presented in a coherent manner.

Q: When will the selection of which universities will participate in the Peer-to-Peer Strategy Consulting 2020/2021 be made?

A: After the deadline for submission of expressions of interest on 30 June 2020, the participating universities will be selected by a jury for the fourth round of peer-to-peer strategy consulting at the end of July 2020 (see above). Universities that have applied will receive feedback on their expressions of interest by the end of July 2020.

Consulting Process

Q: Who are the consulting experts and how are they selected?

A: Through the network of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung there is a pool of experts with different competence profiles and from different status groups of the universities (university management, teachers, students, etc.) or from the economy and civil society. Based on the concrete challenge that the participating university would like to work on within the framework of the program, each participating university is given suggestions for suitable experts. The university can already make concrete suggestions in the expression of interest regarding possible fields of competence and perspectives of the external peers. The final selection of the consulting experts will be made in consultation with the respective university.

Q: What are the concrete costs for the universities?

A: The travel expenses and daily allowances of the peers will be borne by the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung. The participating universities bear the costs for catering for the two workshop days at the university, provide rooms and working materials (metaplan walls, etc.). In addition, the university project team, the peers and the representatives of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung will have dinner together. The university will also bear the travel expenses of its own representatives to two interdisciplinary workshops at all participating universities.

Q: Which stakeholders within the university are participating in the consultation process?

A: Each selected university will put together a project team consisting of central players (departmental representatives, students, teachers and (relevant) central or decentralized institutions) for the further development of studies and teaching and the university management. The participation of the university management is essential for the analysis and reflection of the profile and goals of the university as well as for the development of future-oriented measures. The university management must therefore be centrally involved in the process so that the results of the consultation can be sustainably incorporated into the further development of teaching

Q: Does the whole Presidium have to participate in the consultation process or is it sufficient if a member of the Presidium participates?

A: All representatives relevant to the strategy process should participate in the consultation process. The project management for the peer-to-peer process should also be carried out by a member of the university management, for example the Vice President for Studies and Teaching or the Vice President for Digitization. It is desirable for the President or Rector to attend the consultation days. However, it is not necessary for all members of the Presidential Board to attend.

Q: What offers are available for universities that have not been selected for the peer-to-peer process?

A: For universities that were not selected for the peer-to-peer process, the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung regularly provides opportunities to exchange ideas with other universities on strategic considerations, objectives, key challenges and measures. All accompanying offers for the peer-to-peer process will be announced on the website of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung.