Strategic Development
Strategic guidelines of the University of Jena's Executive Board
View of Jena city centre with the JenTower and the university campus
Blurred figures walk across the campus, the focus is on the large blue letters spelling "Uni Jena"..
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) is a centre of excellence in research and teaching, celebrated for its international reputation and thriving culture of collaboration. The university attracts top-tier scientists, scholars, and students from around the globe, across every discipline it offers. In partnership with key players from science, industry, civil society and culture, FSU drives forward innovative, discovery-based research that tackles today’s urgent global issues while also preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
Home to more than 15,000 students, FSU provides a comprehensive, research-integrated curriculum designed to cultivate critical thinking and offer career-oriented support early in students' educational journeys. Central to its mission is FSU’s commitment to advancing an open and democratic society. Its inclusive culture champions equal opportunities, values diversity, and ensures a respectful and supportive environment for all members of the FSU community.
Three researchers are discussing in the laboratory, on the work surface there are several petri dishes and glass flasks with green algae.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)Under its guiding motto, "Light, Life, Liberty – Connecting Visions", FSU strategically organizes its research into three profile areas: LIGHT, LIFE, and LIBERTY. In these areas, researchers pursue both curiosity-driven and challenge-led projects of societal relevance, shaping FSU’s strategic profile and strengthening its role as a leader in academic innovation and contribution to society.
- In LIGHT, researchers make ground-breaking discoveries in quantum computing and photonic technologies, as well as innovations in developing recyclable and environmentally friendly materials for a sustainable future.
- In LIFE, researchers reveal the intricate web of microbial interactions that sustain our life on Earth, and develop novel medical and ecological tools that benefit human and environmental health.
- In LIBERTY, researchers delve into the forces that bind societies together and those that drive upheaval and transformation. Their work engages deeply with pressing global debates—from the climate crisis and the future of our planet to public discourse, the resilience of democracy, and the troubling resurgence of extremist ideologies within democratic societies worldwide.
Master's student Lufan Du adjusts the experimental setup for the generation of terahertz radiation at the Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)Through the close integration of its top-tier research within the profile areas LIGHT, LIFE, LIBERTY, and its substantial acquisition of external funding, FSU initiates ground-breaking developments within both the national and international scientific communities. FSU’s excellence is also reflected in the attainment of prestigious research awards and successful collaborations with industry and cultural partners. Furthermore, top ratings in national and international rankings underscore FSU’s sustained innovative power.
Three students chat animatedly in the campus foyer.
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)FSU’s achievements in pioneering and interdisciplinary scholarship also serve as a foundation for an inspiring environment at the university. Teaching at FSU is distinguished by a wide range of study options, a strong international orientation, and an extensive range of support structures that guide students on their academic journeys. Students rank FSU as Germany's most popular university among institutions with over 15,000 students, testifying to the university’s commitment to an exceptional academic experience and stimulating learning community. Moreover, FSU’s curriculum goes beyond subject expertise to include "teaching to teach", equipping students, especially future educators and researchers, with essential pedagogical skills. This holistic approach ensures that FSU graduates are well-prepared to lead and inspire, both within and outside academia.
Students use the passageway from the city centre to the Ernst-Abbe-Platz campus, including one person in a wheelchair.
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)FSU is dedicated to promoting an inclusive and interconnected academic community rooted in the values of diversity, equity, and respect for all. Central to FSU’s mission is creating an environment that embraces varied perspectives and upholds a culture in which every individual’s rights and dignity are honoured. This enriches the intellectual and social fabric of university life at FSU, while also promoting professional development, health and well-being, supporting working parents, and assisting those with caregiving responsibilities.
Beyond its academic pursuits, FSU is committed to active engagement with the broader civil society, building bridges between academia and the public. Through a rich array of measures, FSU opens pathways for a meaningful dialogue on key societal issues. FSU thus not only shapes future academic leaders but also nurtures well-rounded, engaged citizens poised to make positive contributions both locally and globally.
Three people look down on Jena from the JenTower observation deck, one person points into the distance.
Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)FSU and the city of Jena share a rich, synergistic relationship that brings out the best in both the university community and the city itself. Set in the picturesque landscape of Thuringia, Jena offers students, employees and guests a welcoming, vibrant environment, combining the charm of a small city with the dynamic energy of a thriving academic hub. The university, with its open campuses and lively student community, is woven into the fabric of the city. This integration is visible not only in shared cultural events, public lectures, and university-led festivals that enliven the city but also in everyday interactions, as students, faculty, and locals frequent the many cafés, cultural venues, and parks that define Jena’s character.
FSU’s collaboration with renowned research institutes further strengthens this bond. These partnerships enable ground-breaking, interdisciplinary research projects that benefit both the university and the local research landscape. Joint initiatives in fields such as photonics, environmental science, and social sciences attract top international talent and foster a collaborative environment where resources and expertise are shared freely. This close cooperation not only enhances FSU’s research output but also contributes significantly to Jena’s reputation as a leading centre for scientific innovation and high-tech industry.
The following commitments guide the overall strategic development of Friedrich Schiller University Jena:
Two young female researchers at work in the laboratory
Image: Anna Schroll (Universität Jena)FSU is committed to continuously enabling ambitious research of the highest quality that addresses significant global challenges. With its broad interdisciplinary expertise and proven record of research excellence, FSU strives to play a leading role in shaping national and international research. By creating a supportive environment for research and investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and the development, well-being, and training of its researchers and staff, FSU ensures long-term research excellence. As an institution with global ambitions and strong regional roots, FSU will continue to strengthen its strategic collaborations at local, national, and international levels.
Students attend the welcome address in lecture theatre 1 during the Orientation Days 2024.
Image: Nicole Nerger (Universität Jena)Students at FSU are regarded as important future mediators between science and practice, driving meaningful societal impact. FSU will continue to provide its students with a high-quality education that equips them with the values, skills, and intellectual discipline necessary to make a positive impact on society. Attracting and enrolling students who demonstrate exceptional curiosity is key to maintaining FSU’s intellectual strength. FSU therefore provides tailored support and career services to help students grow academically and professionally.
FSU has put in place measures to highlight the importance of teaching at the university and strategically advance cross-faculty communication on principles of good teaching and current developments in higher education didactics. In line with its commitment to the individual education of each student, FSU also supports teachers in their diverse tasks and educational approaches. Flexible study possibilities, instructor training, an inclusive study environment, and a focus on innovative teaching practices ensure that FSU serves all students in its academic community.
Young researchers analyse a water sample in front of one of the water basins at the central sewage treatment plant in Jena-Zwätzen.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)To maintain FSU’s position as an attractive institution for research, teaching, and engagement with society, including industry, it is crucial to recruit talented academics at all career stages and with diverse backgrounds. FSU actively supports researchers at all career stages by providing tailored services, mentorship opportunities, and resources that encourage professional development and research innovation.
FSU considers the support of early career researchers a cornerstone of its own success and future development. To advance the careers of early career researchers, FSU has implemented tailored measures that it is constantly refining. It also supports initiatives for the interdisciplinary training of early career researchers and the implementation of university-wide requirements. FSU will continue to create a diverse, inclusive, fair, and open environment that allows researchers at all career stages to grow and thrive.
PhD students Chizuru Kasahara and Philipp Buday present an experiment with a 3D-printed modular photoreactor for catalytic hydrogen production using light energy.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)FSU is a place of opportunity, committed to expanding innovation and engagement by applying research for the benefit of society. Through an inclusive transfer strategy that connects activities at the Jena science hub, FSU enhances collaboration with external stakeholders, supports spin-offs, and supports entrepreneurial growth. By partnering locally and globally with industry and society, FSU nurtures social and commercial entrepreneurship, while promoting public engagement through exhibitions, citizen science, education, and outreach programmes. Recognizing the value of public engagement in enriching both research and society, FSU aims to make this a core part of its culture, attracting top talent worldwide.
Dr Antony George (left) and Dr Falk Eilenberger stand in front of a reactor for chemical vapour deposition in a laboratory.
Image: Nicole Nerger (Universität Jena)FSU researchers are globally connected, collaborating across continents and successfully co-publishing with international peers, recognizing that internationalization is essential for advancing both research and teaching. The FSU is committed to global partnerships and networks across all academic and research fields. To this end, the FSU supports a diverse range of projects enhancing innovation. By actively securing funding, FSU promotes measures that support internationalization in studying, research, teaching and staff mobility seeking to bolster FSU’s reputation on the global stage, thus creating a dynamic environment where internationalization drives excellence in research, teaching and studying.
A bee searches for nectar on a dandelion flower in Griesbach's garden, with the Jentower in the background.
Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)FSU is dedicated to a comprehensive sustainability strategy that embeds environmental, social, and economic values into every aspect of university life. This strategy prioritizes reducing the university's carbon footprint, advancing sustainable resource management, and supporting innovation in green technologies. A key focus is on encouraging research and teaching that drive sustainability, promoting resource sharing and cultivating a sustainability-minded culture among students, faculty, and staff. Through these efforts, FSU aims to inspire ecological stewardship and responsible citizenship both on campus and in the broader community, shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.