The enduring cross-border cooperation between Denmark and Germany has been a model of European partnership. This Good Practice article vividly demonstrates the diverse positive impacts in every-day lives of young cross-border citizens derived from cooperation in the education and labour sectors.

WHAT

In December 2020, the two countries focused on enhancing the academic institution through common graduate program.  The Fehmarn Belt Connection Graduate Program is a visionary initiative aimed at creating a cross-border region in Northern Europe that thrives economically and environmentally. The project's core idea was to develop a joint or double master's degree program in Business Administration, connecting Denmark and Germany. Its aim was to leverage the forthcoming Fehmarn Belt connection and faster rail service to strengthen the cross-border labor market for graduates and foster regional development.

The project’s strategic goals are identified as follows:

Curriculum Development: This project will explore the needs and potential of a transnational master's degree program, aiming to create a curriculum prototype.

Collaboration: Roskilde University (RUC) and Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU) will investigate opportunities for scholarly collaboration and complementarity, fostering ties between universities and businesses in the program region.

Stakeholder Alignment: The project will align the curriculum with the interests of employers and students to ensure its relevance to the labor markets of both countries.

Barrier Reduction: The initiative intends to break down barriers to credit transfer and mutual recognition of exam results, facilitating cross-border student exchange.

WHO

The project involves collaboration between two highly regarded institutions: the Department of Social Sciences and Business at Roskilde University (RUC) in Denmark, and the Institut für Betriebswirtschaftslehre at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU) in Germany. These institutions are spearheading efforts to bridge the gap between Danish and German business education.

WHERE

The primary area of focus of this project is the German-Danish cross-border region connected through the Fehmarn Belt. However, there are plans to expand the initiative's geographical scope to include universities in Hamburg and Lund (Sweden), thereby extending its influence across the STRING corridor (Southwestern Baltic Sea Transregional Area Inventing New Geography).

HOW

The one-year project’s total budget of 123.000€ was co-financed by 75% as part of the 2014 - 2020 INTERREG V-A Germany – Denmark Programme.

RESULTS

The outcomes of this project include:

Cross-Border Curriculum Development: The project conducted a series of surveys, and focus groups interviews between students and future employers to identify the needs and create the best possible prototype curriculum. The prototype curriculum includes lessons in both countries. 

Employability: Graduates of the joint or double master's degree program will possess cross-border competencies, supporting regional businesses and promoting economic development.

Barrier Reduction: Mutual recognition of exam results will reduce barriers and encourage students to study across borders. The initiative intends to break down barriers in credit transfer and mutual recognition of exam results, facilitating cross-border student / employee exchange.

Find out more information about this Project here.