Global Engagement I BFH

As a multilingual European university with a global reach, BFH is committed to a world in which diversity is encouraged and fosters creativity. BFH contributes to social development and to the safeguarding of human rights and is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals.

BFH is committed to multi-perspective approaches, diversity and inclusion in response to complex societal challenges.
It connects people, languages and cultures, and promotes scientific, action-oriented and design thinking.
The Internationalisation sub-strategy and the Language Policy reflect these BFH-wide values and promote their implementation at the university.

Global networking at BFH

BFH works “from the region into the world” and takes internationalisation and multilingualism into account in education and continuing education, in research and in cooperative projects with partners. The Global Engagement Office coordinates the European and worldwide cooperation activities of BFH. The Euresearch Office BFH supports European research. The platform BFH Cooperation and Development combines BFH’s cooperation activities with emerging and developing countries. Other international research activities and collaborative projects take place at departmental level. An example: the HAFL Hugo P. Cecchini Institute.
Furthermore, BFH is a member of the network Scholars at Risk. As a responsible university, BFH is committed to inclusion, solidarity, and human rights, especially in international collaborations.

Internationalisation in action

For students

Mobility

In order to promote internationalisation and multilingualism among its students, BFH offers them the opportunity to complete part of their studies or an internship abroad. With 120 partner universities abroad, the International Relations Office and the contact persons in the departments support students in finding suitable study and internship positions. In addition, they supervise international students during their semester or studies at BFH.

International studies

Study trips are organised depending on the department.

Certificate of Global Competence

Globally competent students are aware, curious, and interested in learning about the world and how it works. They are able to «examine local, global and intercultural issues, understand and appreciate different perspectives and world views, interact successfully and respectfully with others, and take responsible action toward sustainability and collective well-being» (OECD 2018). With the ‘Certificate of Global Competence’ students have the opportunity to acquire intercultural, transcultural and language skills and to provide evidence of them to future employers.

Certificate of Global Competence

Departmental activities and contacts

International activities in the departments range from exchange opportunities to double degrees and study trips.

School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences
E international.hafl@bfh.ch
T +41 31 910 21 96
T +41 31 910 29 58

Business department
E international.wirtschaft@bfh.ch
T +41 31 848 34 00

Social Work Department
E international.soziale-arbeit@bfh.ch
T +41 31 848 36 14

Health Professions Department
E internationales.gesundheit@bfh.ch
T +41 31 848 45 67
T +41 31 848 45 52

Engineering and Information Technology Department
E international.ti@bfh.ch
T +41 34 426 42 28

Bern University of the Arts
E international@hkb.bfh.ch
T +41 31 848 49 23

Architecture, Wood and Civil Engineering Department
E international.ahb@bfh.ch
T +41 31 848 45 52

Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen SFISM
E iro.ehsm@baspo.admin.ch
T +41 58 467 61 24

Actualités

News

Outgoing students autumn semester 23/24

05.09.2023 This autumn, a total of 29 Business School students will be enjoying a particularly exciting semester.

News

Memorandum of Understanding between BFH Business School and the University of Kyiv

31.05.2023 As a business school with an international orientation, BFH Business School is continuing to expand its network: In May 2023, we signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kyiv National Economic...

News

Welcome Days - spring semester 2023

24.02.2023 We are thrilled to host in total 31 incoming exchange students this semester at the BFH Business School. Their home universities are spread all over the world: in Canada, Sweden, New Zealand, South Korea,...

News

Outgoing students spring semester 2023

10.02.2023 The Business School is pleased to announce that a total of 20 exchange and 7 Double Degree students are studying abroad this spring semester 2023.

News

Happy Holidays!

16.12.2022 As the year comes to a close, our International Team would like to take this opportunity to convey our warmest season’s greetings!

News

BFH-HAFL and Cambodian Universities partner to promote field research and strengthen collaboration among students

16.11.2022 HAFL Hugo P. Cecchini Institute staff and BFH-HAFL master’s and bachelor’s students organised and participated in an event that aims to strengthen collaboration and exchange with Cambodian universities and...