The IGP is internationally oriented and embedded within a broad network of partner institutions. Research and teaching in the fields of health and nursing benefit significantly from international collaboration – whether through joint research projects, the development of innovative solutions, or the comparative analysis of health and care systems.

By working with universities, research institutes and practice partners across borders, the IGP gains diverse perspectives on global health challenges. Collaborative projects provide access to larger and more diverse data sources, enhancing the quality of empirical research. International exchange supports the development of sustainable prevention and care strategies, contributes to the harmonisation of standards, and helps reduce global health inequalities.

International mobility of researchers and students plays a key role in this process. It opens up new academic perspectives, strengthens intercultural competence, and fosters innovation and collaboration in both research and education.

International Summer School on Health Promotion

The International Summer School on Health Promotion has been a yearly highlight for students and lecturers in Bachelor's and Master's programmes in nursing and health sciences. This one-week event offers a unique opportunity to engage in international exchange and to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams on key questions of health promotion – with a practical focus, in dialogue, and with a global perspective. The aim of the Summer School is to provide participants with a deeper understanding of the diverse approaches and systems of health promotion in the participating countries. Core topics include Planetary Health, innovative developments in healthcare, and international health policy. At the same time, essential soft skills such as teamwork, time management and networking are actively fostered.

Preparations for the English-language presentations take place during the semester, ensuring that students are well supported both linguistically and academically. The Summer School thus strengthens not only subject-specific expertise, but also the intercultural and personal development of participants – combining internationalisation “at home” and “abroad” in a meaningful and accessible way.

The Summer School takes place on a rotating basis in one of the partner countries: Belgium, Poland, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain or Germany. Each partner university contributes its own academic profile and offers insight into different healthcare systems and cultural contexts. In doing so, the Summer School brings together academic exchange and intercultural learning – creating space for shared perspectives on the future of health and care.

Soka University Tokyo

Since 2019, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences and Soka University Tokyo (Verlinkung: https://www.soka.ac.jp/en/nursing/) have maintained a close partnership, which was formalised in 2023 through a Memorandum of Understanding. The collaboration focuses on teaching and research in the field of nursing science and is grounded in shared values such as a humanistic approach to society and the legacy of Florence Nightingale.

This partnership forms part of the internationalisation strategies of both institutions and provides a strong foundation for academic exchange on global issues in nursing and health research. The goal is to jointly develop innovative approaches, strengthen academic nursing education on an international level, and sensitise students and early-career researchers to global healthcare challenges. Core elements of the collaboration include reciprocal student visits as part of the “Global Nursing Training Course”, joint teaching activities, and the development of cooperative research projects.

Health Care Without Harm

The IGP is actively committed to Planetary Health and climate awareness in healthcare. As a member of the international network Health Care Without Harm, the IGP is part of a global movement advocating for environmentally sustainable, socially just, and resilient health systems.

A visible expression of this commitment: Esslingen University of Applied Sciences was the first university in Germany to sign the Nursing School Commitment of the Nurses Climate Challenge Europe. The programme aims to prepare students, trainees and healthcare professionals for the challenges of the climate crisis. It empowers them to act as advocates for climate and health and to take on leadership positions in building sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient healthcare systems.