Cultural social change
Social change always brings change with it. As institutions of learning and research, universities offer an important opportunity not only to recognize and identify these restructuring processes, but also to play an active role in shaping them. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive education and innovative research, universities can tackle future challenges and create an inspiring environment in which knowledge is generated not only by students and staff, but by society as a whole. (see University Development Strategy)
What do we want?
Society is undergoing a process of transformation in the face of global crises and far-reaching changes. The resulting social change must be absorbed and actively supported by universities. As carriers of social knowledge, universities are places that develop an active contribution to solving current challenges through research and teaching. (cf. Excellence Strategy)
Where do we want to go?
TU Dresden strives to create an inspiring community of learning that not only promotes excellent education and research, but also makes a significant contribution to social transformation processes in terms of cultural and societal change. TU Dresden aims to achieve this by creating an open, tolerant and intercultural learning and working atmosphere in which students, lecturers and staff alike are encouraged to actively contribute their ideas and perspectives. In this way, not only is knowledge imparted, but the development of critical thinking, social responsibility and intercultural competence is also promoted. (see diversity and inclusion strategy)
Students and staff are not only professionally competent, but also have the ability to view the world around them with a critical eye and actively participate in shaping a just and inclusive society. In this vision, our university is a driver of cultural and social change, boldly tackling the challenges of our time and shaping a vibrant, dynamic learning community that positively shapes the future. (cf. Diversity and Inclusion Strategy)
TU Dresden thus sees itself as an open place for (social) transformation processes, which supports this development by providing resources and opportunities. The potential of a dynamic place of development is founded on paradigms of free (willing) learning, passionate teaching and passionate research, so that TU Dresden is more than just an academic (learning) place by promoting individual potential. (cf. university development strategy)
How do we achieve this?
In order to meet the advancing social change as a university and to actively shape transformation processes, measures are necessary on three levels:
- Creating a cultural landscape: TU Dresden creates a culture that enables learning at eye level and values both intra- and extramural achievements (cf. Diversity & Inclusion Strategy).
- Promoting independent research and teaching: TU Dresden promotes research and teaching that is independent of economic pressure. Students and staff are actively involved in shaping the university as a place of learning and teaching (see teaching strategy).
- Arranging knowledge transfer projects: Knowledge transfer projects are arranged in a targeted manner and citizens:inside are actively involved in university learning and teaching. Non-university stakeholders are also welcome and valued participants in the university culture and feel equally entitled to contribute to the academic culture. Regardless of academic degrees, the interaction between university culture and social potential is understood as a fruitful socio-cultural cooperative for which TU Dresden provides the necessary resources (see University Development Strategy).