About us
Since its founding in 2003, Zeppelin University (ZU) has been searching for answers to relevant questions about the dynamic and complex challenges facing our society.
As a state-recognized university under private sponsorship, we teach and research between the scientific disciplines of business, culture and politics, consistently interdisciplinary, individualized and international.
Who we are
Zeppelin University (ZU) sees itself as an open, inspiring, research-oriented think-tank that breaks new ground in university education, pursues an entrepreneurial approach, and combines a discipline-specific grounding with an interdisciplinary way of thinking and working.
This includes ensuring freedom with regard to research and teaching while making a voluntary commitment to uphold academic standards, as well as a focus on critical reflection and the advancement of scientific methods and practice.
ZU was founded in 2003 to develop innovative opportunities in research and teaching in the tradition of Humboldt’s educational ideal, which are adapted both programmatically and in accordance with the university’s own ethos to the major societal changes of the twenty-first century. In the spirit of the Enlightenment ideas espoused by Humboldt, ZU is committed both to gaining knowledge for its own sake and – especially in teaching – to disseminating and communicating the value of a scientific world view.
What we aspire
Through its activities in the areas of pure and applied research, ZU aims to contribute to resolving society’s most pressing future issues on an international, national, and regional level.
In doing so, the highest priority is always given to maintaining the independence and neutrality of the research. As a driver of educational innovation, ZU sees itself as a laboratory for the conception and organization of a future-focused university education that responds to societal transformation processes.
Prof Dr Klaus Mühlhahn, President of Zeppelin University | Picture: ZU/Ilya Mess
In times of rapidly growing bodies of knowledge and eroding certainties, ZU aims to educate cross–border commuters who are entering new territory with a willingness to take responsibility for their actions.
As future leaders, our graduates should be able to deal with uncertainty and operate successfully in changing environments. ZU therefore endeavors to instill in them the conviction that economic, ecological, social, and cultural concerns as well as institutional, organizational, and individual goals can be combined in a way that promotes sustainable societal development. Against this backdrop, the university also strives to train young academics who are capable of networking nationally and internationally thanks to their specialist expertise and interdisciplinary profiles.
Our core values
In pursuit of ZU’s mission and the resulting diverse strategic and operational goals, all members of the organization are predominantly guided by the following values:
These values are lived and specifically promoted by – and for – all students at ZU. The respective academic tasks and goals are pursued with passion and great commitment by our members.
ZU sets high standards for itself and aims to be a leading institution in its field.
How we implement it
The Structure and Development Plan | STEP entitled "ZU | 2025 - Unlock the Future" defines the strategic development goals in the four core areas ofresearch, teaching, transfer and university development. In addition, the strategic and operational measures are outlined, which in their interaction are directed towards achieving these goals and sharpening the profile of Zeppelin University in a structured, systematic and goal-oriented manner.
The core areas of the structural and development plan are flanked by the following five cross-cutting themes, which guide the actions of all areas of the university:
1. interdisciplinarity
2. digital transformation
3. sustainability
4. internationalisation
5. equality and diversity
The implementation of the measures and the achievement of the strategic goals of the STEP are evaluated regularly.
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