Mission statement

The mission of our university is to advance the state of education and science through teaching and research. In keeping with the name of our university, we are committed to the person of Otto von Guericke. His name stands for

• the application of scientific methods,
• the pursuit of innovation and new knowledge and
• the assumption of social responsibility for present and future generations

Profile - Our university sees itself - without prejudice to the idea of "Universitas" - as a profile university and strives for a sharply contoured and lean structure, which has a traditional focus on engineering and natural sciences as well as medicine, and sees the economic, social sciences and humanities as indispensable disciplines for a modern university in the information society.
As a bridge between Western and Eastern Europe, Magdeburg University is committed to the comprehensive internationalisation of research and teaching and contributes to cultural rapprochement.

Community - Our university is a community of staff and students characterised by openness, trust, tolerance and cooperation. It strives to create a harmonious climate that promotes health and motivation. Equal opportunities for women and men and the compatibility of studies, career and family are binding requirements for us.

Teaching - In teaching, we are aware of our responsibility towards our students. We demand a highly qualified, academic education that is orientated towards the current state of research. We train creative and critical people with problem-solving skills, the ability to work in a team and a sense of responsibility.
The training should also be orientated towards the requirements of practice, whereby the pursuit of professional ability takes precedence over the achievement of professional skills. We promote "lifelong learning" through further education and training programmes. To this end, we have developed a mission statement and guidelines for studying and teaching at Otto von Guericke University.

Research - We stand for a high level of quality in our research, which is characterised by scientific and social relevance. Our research is subject to ethical reflection with regard to the means used and the possible effects on society and the environment.
The unity of research and teaching as well as the freedom of science are unalterable principles for us. In accordance with the profile of our university, we define key areas in which we want to achieve top performance. Interdisciplinary and international projects are particularly encouraged.

Society - We are a publicly funded university with the right to self-administration and the duty of self-regulation. We have a duty to promote the interests of society and to inform the public about our concerns and activities. The university must maintain a critical attitude towards the zeitgeist and express this to the public.

We are aware that every member of the University contributes to the University's public image through their performance and behaviour.