A software solution offering internationally mobile researchers advice and support structures in German institutions of higher education.

Stuttgart, 28.02.2011 – On the 28th January January 2011, the Stuttgart-based software provider, QS unisolution and a group of German universities started their project "Welcome Centre software" The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation has subsidised several universities for their initial work on the Welcome Centre project. These universities as well as others then formed a workgroup with the aim of finding a software solution which would improve service structures offered to internationally mobile researchers and their family members.

Following the evaluation of several different software providers, the task of creating the relevant database was awarded to QS unisolution. The system will be based upon QS unisolution's existing software, "moveon", which is used by 300 universities worldwide to manage international university cooperation and exchange programs for students and staff.

"The Welcome Centre at the University of Konstanz opted for QS unisolution's database solution as a result of its wide experience in the sector of software for the internationalisation of universities as well as their offer of a tailor-made software package," explains Dr. Johannes Dingler, Head of the Welcome Centre at the University of Konstanz.

Dr Cornelia Nicodemus, in charge of the Welcome centre at the University of Bayreuth adds: 

„QS unisolution demonstrated a special understanding of our software requirements whilst also showing great flexibility during pre-order negotiations."

The requirements for this new, web-based "Welcome Centre software" are the extensive service and customer relationship management, online-registration for internationally mobile researchers, support in finding accommodation, as well as the organisation of care structures provided for accompanying family members and special arrangements for dual career couples. Integrated reporting also enables the universities to have a detailed overview of their internationally mobile researchers and their projects.

In the Welcome centre project group, amongst the Universities of Bayreuth and Konstanz are thirteen other well know institutions of higher education. Several more universities have announced their interest in becoming a member. Universities will start working with the software from June 2011 onwards, with more features being added throughout the year.

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About QS unisolution

The IT company, QS unisolution, with offices in both Stuttgart and London offers universities and business schools high-performing software solutions for their internationalisation, recruitment and admissions processes. Together with its parent company QS, QS unisolution covers the area of recruitment fairs, conferences, consultation, university rankings as well as printed and online publications.

About the Welcome Centres

Professional service structures to support foreign guest researchers and their families in the bureaucratic and organisational aspects of their stay are becoming more significant as a result of international competition. The competition "Welcome Centres", held by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation together with The Deutsche Telekom Stiftung and the "Stiftverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft", should create incentives to implement these structures in German universities. As a result of professional data collection, the improved service structures provided by the Welcome Centres make Germany an attractive research destination.