About the program
The Lectureship Program in Asia is special because of its many closely interwoven layers:
young university graduates from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (known as “DACH” lecturers, based on the country codes of their countries of origin: D, A, CH) teach German as a foreign language at a university in Asia. In addition to their teaching duties, DACHs also develop an educational project with the goal of promoting intercultural dialog and fostering their personal development. Further training and coaching are provided to support them. They receive a monthly grant to cover their living expenses in Asia.
And that is where the program’s second target group is to be found: local lecturers (referred to as “LOK” lecturers) are German-speaking university staff in Asia. They also receive a monthly grant as well as coaching and training focused on rhetoric, presentation techniques, and managing meetings. They put their newly acquired skills immediately into practice in their work at their universities.
Both groups meet in joint seminars and become part of an active network. The Lectureship Program is currently available in China, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
Why are we running this program?
The Lectureship Program gives young people from diverse backgrounds the tools they need to thrive in an intercultural environment. It encourages them to embrace new things, actively contribute, and grow through interaction – essential skills in a shrinking world. The Lectureship Program brings young people from Asia and German-speaking countries together, creating lasting ties. They then help build an international network that has been bringing about personal and social change for the past 25 years.
What are our goals?
How does the Lectureship Program achieve its stated aim of fostering both individual and social development? Firstly, it supports all grant holders by offering opportunities for personal growth. Secondly, it helps them improve their professional skills through training and daily practical application. This professional side of the program is about more than simply honing the individuals’ skills. It also encourages international dialog on teaching and learning cultures. Thirdly, the Lectureship Program helps build a vibrant society through the engagement of the grant holders. In this way, personal development and professional upskilling, meeting new people and social involvement all complement each other.
Who are the target groups?
The Lectureship Program is designed with two target groups in mind: university graduates from German-speaking countries and young researchers or lecturers working at universities in Asia. During their time on the Lectureship Program, the two groups meet at several events in Germany and Asia.
How does the program work?
The Lectureship Program awards grants for a year. All lecturers are part of a well-functioning network during this period and can remain within this network after their lectureship has ended. The year starts in summer 2019, with all lecturers coming together for a launch meeting in Germany. This is followed by a meet-up in Asia in the fall 2019 and another in spring 2020. The academic year is then brought to a close with a get-together back in Germany in summer 2020.
The program rests on three pillars: personal development, university teaching and project work.
Who organizes and sponsors the project?
The Lectureship Program in Asia is a cooperation between the Robert Bosch Stiftung and MitOst association. MitOst was founded in 1996 by former lecturers of the Robert Bosch Stiftung as a platform aimed at furthering networking and project work. In other words, engaged alumni of the Robert Bosch Stiftung became the Lectureship Program’s organizers. The association’s range of activities and network have steadily grown ever since. Today, MitOst serves as an umbrella organization for several cooperation programs, numerous international projects, the work of ten alumni groups, the annual MitOst Festival and the wide-ranging involvement of 1,400 MitOst members from 45 countries.
What additional offerings exist?
In its 25 years, the Lectureship Program has produced well over 1,000 alumni who maintain contact with each other and meet up regularly.