Uni-Tübingen

CIVIS STAFF WEEK

Designing Competence-Oriented Joint Programmes

08.-10. July 2026

This staff week aims to empower academic and administrative staff across the CIVIS Alliance to collaboratively develop and implement competence oriented curricula. This approach, which places the student at the centre of the learning process, is essential for equipping graduates with the necessary skills to create innovative solutions to complex real world problems. In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, students need subject specific knowledge as well as interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary skills to shape the future. Joint programmes play a key role in fostering these competencies. 

Competence based degree programmes enable students to adopt different perspectives, collaborate across disciplinary boundaries, and develop innovative solutions by applying the skills learned in their curricula. By working together with colleagues from different universities, participants will discuss practical strategies and exchange their best practices.

During the Staff Week, participants will: 

  • Learn how degree programmes are developed @University of Tübingen
  • Explore the principles and frameworks of competence-oriented curriculum design
  • Learn how to align learning outcomes, teaching methods, and assessment strategies with defined competences.
  • Reflect on the role of Future Skills – such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, digital literacy, and self-efficacy – in modern study programs
  • Share inspiring practices and challenges in transforming traditional curricula into competence-based formats within the CIVIS network
  • Work collaboratively on strategies to implement competence orientation in joint programmes
  • Strengthen cooperation within the CIVIS Alliance to foster joint curriculum development and mobility formats grounded in competence orientation.

VISIT US @ TUEBINGEN FOR A STAFF WEEK IN 2026

Together, we put students at the centre to build the skills for a complex, global future. We and the whole team are looking forward to seeing you! Registration by 30th April: here.

Speakers

Dr. Christian Zettl

Head of Degree Programme Development at University Tübingen with extensive experience in shaping higher education curricula. He will share key learnings from the SMARTT project and explore how strategic planning and cross institutional collaboration can drive the development of innovative, competence based curricula that meet both academic standards and societal needs.

Martina Lorenz

Deputy Head of Degree Programme Development at University Tübingen with a key role in steering major curricular reforms at her institution. She has a profound expertise in managing complex reform processes from structural redesigns to competence based curriculum overhauls. She will provide insights into the challenges and success factors of large scale degree programme reforms and share practical strategies for sustainable implementation.

Lorena Popović

As an Expert in Curriculum Design at University Tübingen, she has a thorough knowledge of international programmes , with a focus on developing future oriented collaborative profiles in degree programmes She will address how to align profile development with competence based learning, and how to involve academic staff in shaping these processes.

Dr. Daniel Beathalter

As an Expert in Curriculum Development at University Tübingen, he brings extensive experience in designing international programmes with a focus on multiple degree options. He has a deep expertise in the collaborative co creation process with academic staff from initial concept to accreditation. He will share insights into aligning international collaboration with competence based programme design.

Assist. Prof. Alexandru Cartis, Ph.D.

Head of the Education Unit at CIVIS Alliance and Professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Bucharest. He brings extensive expertise in structural development at alliance level, with a strong focus on competence-based joint programme design. He will share insights into competence-based cocreation across partner institutions and present the latest developments regarding the European Degree Label, highlighting current policy directions and practical implications for joint programmes.

Dr. Iris-Niki Nikolopoulos

Head of Transdisciplinary Course Program & Civic Engagement at University Tübingen. Her work focuses on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, societal impact, and innovative teaching formats across institutional and international boundaries. She will share expertise in transversal competences, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, digital literacy, and self-efficacy. She brings valuable expertise on integrating civic engagement and transdisciplinary approaches in educational offers and strengthening cooperation  across partner universities. 

Manuel Halseband

As an Expert in higher education pedagogy at University Tübingen, he brings extensive experience in didactic planning processes in higher education with a focus on interdiciplinary or transdiciplinary teaching across partner institutions. He will provide practical insights into competence-oriented curriculum design and will share his expertise on how aligning learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, and assessment formats according to the principles of constructive alignment in joint programmes. 

And many more speakers with an expertise in curriculum design and educational activities.