JGU views individuality and diversity among its members as both an enhancement and potential and has therefore implemented a diversity strategy to help guarantee equal opportunities and educational fairness. Among other things, it is the aim of JGU to make sure all stakeholders can fully and equally participate in university processes regardless of their age, gender, social and ethnic heritage, sexual identity and individual lifestyle. The diversity strategy was developed for the 'Diversity Audit' of the 'Stifterverband', in which JGU successfully participated in 2017 and that represented an initial phase of the introduction of targeted diversity management at the university.
Respecting diversity and promoting equal opportunities have long been guiding principles at JGU and are part of our daily life here. JGU invests more than two million euros each year in supporting the promotion of women and providing funds for its equal opportunities program. It provides advisory and service institutions to a variety of target groups, such as the Equality and Diversity Office, the Family Services Center, its Office of Accessibility, the Mental Health Services for Students and the Welcome Center for International Scholars.
Getting Closer to Providing Genuine Equality of Opportunity
In the meantime, JGU has come much closer to providing genuine equality of opportunity than many other German universities; this is demonstrated by its excellent position in the 2015 university rankings of the Center of Excellence Women and Science (CEWS). Thanks to the continuous development of its measures designed to ensure equality of opportunity, JGU was awarded the Total E-Quality certificate in 2020 by the organization of the same name for the sixth time. In 2016, the university signed the 'Family at the University' charter. Also in 2016, JGU was one of the first German universities to receive the European Commission's Human Resources Excellence in Research Award after successfully participating in the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) program. This award confirms that JGU is an institution that makes use of fair and transparent recruiting procedures.
One of the strengths of the equality strategies at JGU is the focus on various career phases of young female academics – particularly in the critical mid-career phase after their doctorate. The program for young female academics (ProWeWin) and the comprehensive discipline-based mentoring programs offer a wide range of forms of support to this target group. JGU also places considerable emphasis on ensuring that family-life is made compatible with studying at university or pursuing an academic career. Students and those employed here can take advantage of extensive child care services and the advice available on caring for family members.