The Humboldtian Model of Higher Education and its Significance for the European University on Responsible Consumption and Production

Abstract

This contribution describes the origins and essential characteristics of the Humboldtian Model of Higher Education. It also shows how this model can be integrated into the European University on Responsible Consumption and Production (EURECA-PRO). Wilhelm von Humboldt and his team developed the innovative Humboldtian Model of Higher Education in Humboldt’s native Prussia between 1809 and 1810 in order to totally reform the education system. After founding the University of Berlin in 1810 and with the support of leading young scientists cum professors, Humboldt intended to implement this new model of tertiary education. The Humboldtian Model requires that universities govern themselves, have academic freedom, and integrate education and research. As a consequence, science is unified and all academic disciplines are present within a given university. This model also calls for university-wide interaction and for all university members to communicate such that students become integrated as researching learners and learning researchers through close co-operation with their teachers. With the emergence of the neoliberal university model in the 1990s, key elements of the Humboldtian Model have been complemented by university obligations to meet expectations from government, the business community, and society at large with regard to the usefulness and benefit of university research and educational outputs. This contribution concludes by discussing the potential of implementing the Humboldtian Model of Higher Education within EURECA-PRO.