Mission Statement & Principles
Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, is an institution open to the world that has emerged from its academic history, is committed to the present and shapes the future.
Mission
With the diversity, tradition and innovative strength of its subjects and disciplines, Heidelberg University is a leading research university in Europe and the world. With an open, unprejudiced attitude towards persons and ideas, it is our goal to develop knowledge and skills, make them applicable and pass them on to following generations. On the basis of our motto “SEMPER APERTUS” we understand ourselves to be an academic community that brings together diverse cultures, identities, convictions and values in knowledge-led discourse and societal responsibility.
Profile
The disciplinary breadth at Heidelberg University spans the humanities, social sciences and law, along with natural, engineering and life sciences, including medicine.
As a comprehensive research university, we promote outstanding individual disciplines and strengthen their cooperation across the borders between subjects. We develop new interdisciplinary research approaches with the goal of making substantial contributions to overcoming the great challenges of the present and the future.
With our research-oriented teaching we lay the foundations to equip our students, after first-rate training, for many different career paths. Our attractive research context supports scientists and scholars in all phases of their career. Heidelberg University understands itself to be a place of lifelong learning and the imparting of skills enabling alumni to assume responsibility in academia and society.
In research, teaching and transfer our university cooperates with a variety of distinguished partners in the region, in Germany and in the world.
Principles
The self-understanding of Heidelberg University is rooted in the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of research and teaching, and in its lived responsibility towards people, society, nature and the environment. Sustainability in all dimensions of action is a declared goal.
The university subscribes to internationalism, diversity and equality, a compatibility of work and family life and creates an appreciative context enabling all its members to develop their potential in the best way possible.
Its members are committed to the principles of good scientific practice and mutual relations based on partnership.