Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers
The Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers strengthens the positioning and networking of the University of Bern in the higher education landscape.
In addition, the Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers strengthens the University of Bern's work in university networks, supports researchers at all qualification levels in their academic careers and runs a language center.
The Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers is structured into three thematic areas:
- UniBE International
- Academic Careers
- Language Center
Note: The Vice-Rectorate is currently undergoing a reorganization. The website will be adapted step by step.
Services
UniBE International
UniBE International implements the university's central internationalization activities, ensures the university's presence in the international university and research community, and implements the measures decided to achieve the university's internationalization goals.
UniBE International
Language Center
The Language Center offers language courses to improve the main languages of instruction and research of the University of Bern: German and English. We focus on the development of academic language skills in the context of the University of Bern, based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The target audience of the Language Center is students and PhD students matriculated at the University of Bern. Staff members of the University of Bern may attend courses if places are available.
Language Center
German as a Foreign Language or Second Language
The Language Center’s German courses are offered at levels A1–C1 (from complete beginner to advanced). Depending on the target level, they help integration into the context of the University of Bern and participation in academia.
German as a Foreign Language
Academic English
The Language Center’s English courses are offered at levels B1–C2 (from intermediate to proficient). They focus on the improvement of overall academic skills to facilitate participation in English-language seminars and lectures. Separate courses are devoted to speaking and writing to enhance academic communication skills.
Academic English
Academic Careers
The Academic Careers department is reponsible for the following areas:
- Coordination of the university policy for the promotion of early career researchers
- Development, implementation and evaluation of measures to promote early career researchers
- Development and administration of target group-specific funding instruments and offers
- Information and advice on academic career issues
The Academic Careers department addresses with its services and offers early career researchers of every qualification level (on the level of the doctorate, post-doctorate, lectureship and assistand professorship) and to all the research areas, to all the faculties and all the units which deal with questions regarding the promotion of early career researchers.
Others
science.olympiad.ch
With the Office of science.olympiad.ch, the University of Bern is involved in promoting excellence in secondary schools.
science.olympiad.ch
Team
Vice-Rector for International and Academic Careers

- Name / Titel
- Prof. Dr. Andrew Chan
- Funktion
- Vice-Rector for International and Academic Careers
- andrew.chan@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 39 56
Staff unit

- Name / Titel
- Dr. Lenka Dorothea Fehrenbach
- Funktion
- Staff position Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Careers
- lenka.fehrenbach@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 83 36
Assistant to the vice rector

- Name / Titel
- Oksana Borysenko
- Funktion
- Assistant Vice-Rector
- oksana.borysenko@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 41 75
Secretariat Vice-Rectorate for International and Academic Careers

- Name / Titel
- Alexandra Erler
- Funktion
- Secretariat
- alexandra.erler@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 35 44
Academic Careers (Funding instruments, Graduate Schools, Doctoral programs, Transferable Skills, Counselling)

- Name / Titel
- Marco Hollenstein
- Funktion
- Co-Head Academic Careers department
- marco.hollenstein@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 85 41

- Name / Titel
- Dr. Matthias Hirt
- Funktion
- Co-Head Academic Careers Office
- matthias.hirt@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 40 29

- Name / Titel
- Dr. Ellen Krause
- Funktion
- Executive Director UniBE International
- ellen.krause@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 52 33

- Name / Titel
- Dr. Stefanie Neuner-Anfindsen
- Funktion
- Head of Language Center
- stefanie.neuner-anfindsen@unibe.ch
- Phone
- +41 31 684 52 66
- Phone2
- +41 31 684 83 91
Organizational chart
