Celebrating Innovative Teaching: University of Mannheim Honours ENGAGE.EU Educators
Innovative teaching deserves recognition. At this year’s Tag der Lehre (Teaching and Learning Day) on 28 April 2026, the University of Mannheim honoured educators whose engagement in the ENGAGE.EU University Alliance plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of European higher education. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Ruhe, Vice President for Student Affairs and Teaching, presented ENGAGE.EU Certificates of Appreciation to eleven instructors who have developed innovative teaching formats within the alliance.
At the center of this recognition are the ENGAGE.EU Signature Courses. Developed and taught jointly by academics from at least three partner universities, these courses bring together instructors an students across borders in shared virtual and hybrid learning environments. By combining international collaboration, interdisciplinary perspectives, and challenge-based learning, Signature Courses offer students a unique opportunity to engage with complex societal questions while developing the skills needed in an increasingly interconnected world.
Over the past years, ENGAGE.EU educators have played a key role in establishing and expanding this innovative format. The 2026 Certificates of Appreciation recognised both experienced contributors and new innovators who have contributed to establish and expand this format at the University of Mannheim. The awarded Signature Courses are covering topics such as the future of work and learning, intercultural collaboration, family business management, and the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. These projects exemplify the creativity and variety of approaches educators are using to reshape teaching across institutional and national boundaries.
More than a recognition of past achievements, the Certificates of Appreciation highlight the opportunities ENGAGE.EU offers to instructors. By contributing to international courses, educators can expand their networks, explore innovative teaching approaches, and gain visibility for their work. The growing number of participating educators demonstrates that international teaching is not only enriching for students—it is also a rewarding and recognised pathway for academic staff who want to shape the future of higher education.
Interested in developing or joining a Signature Course? The ENGAGE.EU team at the University of Mannheim (engage@uni-mannheim.de) is happy to support colleagues in exploring opportunities for future collaborations.
Awarded UMA Contributors:
• Prof. Dr. Jürgen Seifried, Prof. Dr. Andreas Rausch and Manuel Böhm (M.Sc.), has been involved in the Signature Course “Future of Work” coordinated by WU Vienna. Building on this experience, Prof. Seifried—together with Dr. Christian Mayer—took the initiative to develop a new Signature Course, “Shaping the Future of Learning”, in collaboration with WU Vienna and the University of St. Gallen. The course is currently running in Spring Semester 2026.
• Jun.-Prof. Dr. Helen Engemann and Anna Michelotti contributed the long-standing Signature Course “Bridging Borders” under the leadership of Universitat Ramon Llull, in cooperation with partners from Université Toulouse Capitole and Hanken School of Economics.
• Elisa Sauerbier (M.Sc.) initiated the new Signature Course “Managing the Family Business” (2026), developed with partners from NHH Norwegian School of Economics and the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.
• Linh Thlang contributed to the Signature Course “Virtual Collaboration Across Cultures” (2025), focusing on intercultural teamwork and global collaboration skills. The course is led by NHH Norwegian School of Economics in cooperation with WU Vienna and Hanken School of Economics.
• Prof. Dr. Simone Paolo Ponzetto and Jun.-Prof. Dr. Philipp Kellmeyer participated in the Signature Course “Risks and Opportunities of AI” (2024), an international collaboration led by Université Toulouse Capitole and delivered together with partners from University of National and World Economy in Sofia.
