The disciplines in art, design and music are โ and always have been โ internationally oriented. What is the potential of a university of the arts to prepare its students accordingly? How can the needs of students and lecturers be met? What responsibility does a university of the arts bear in a globalizing environment, in which sustainable social action is rapidly gaining in importance?
These questions were discussed and reflected during this year's International Day at the ZHdK. On 7 October 2019 several ZHdK students and Alumi gave the guests meaningful insights into their international projects, careers and challenges. The opportunity to gain international experience while studying was presented as a clear benefit. The International Affairs Dossier of the ZHdK provides in cooperation with the AVINA Foundation Switzerland funding for intercultural and transcultural projects of students, which proved to be very valuable for both the students themselves and for the ZHdK as an institution.
In panel discussions, speakers from other Swiss universities of the arts were able to present a valuable external perspective regarding the internationalization of the ZHdK. It has been shown that international experience and networking have a major impact and can perhaps be considered essential for the careers of art, design and music professionals. In addition to a single semester abroad, the guests also mentioned entire master's programmes abroad or the added value of integrating international guest lecturers.
Finally, the social, ecological and economic sustainability was also a topic during the discussions. Above all, to what extent it is the role of an art university, such as the ZHdK, to make a contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). In the international student projects, a know-how of artistic-musical-design excellence contributing to the UN SDGs becomes obvious. Furthermore, the ZHdK as a university plays a role in creating framework conditions, under which sustainability goals can be achieved. However, the autonomy of artistic work continues to be a goal of both teaching and research, the internationalization makes a significant contribution in that regard.