Universities in OstWestfalenLippe (OWL), Germany and in Edmonton/Alberta, Canada work together to exchange and develop knowledge. The focus of the cooperation is on the exchange of students and on interdisciplinary collaboration in research. Multilateral relations between all partners involved are intended to supplement, combine, and expand the strengths of both regions.
Alberta OWL
Consortium
Universities in OstWestfalenLippe (OWL), Germany and in Edmonton/Alberta, Canada work together to exchange and develop knowledge. The focus of the cooperation is on the exchange of students and on interdisciplinary collaboration in research. Multilateral relations between all partners involved are intended to supplement, combine, and expand the strengths of both regions.
Study and Internships
The exchange goes both ways. Students from the OWL universities (Bielefeld University, Paderborn University, Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI), TH OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts) can study in Edmonton and students from the University of Alberta, the MacEwan University, the Concordia University of Edmonton, or the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology can study, pursue internships or participate in a summer program in OWL.
The universities also collaborate in research and in collaborative online learning in teaching.
Watch a short video about the Alberta OWL Consortium (You Tube)
Thanks for joining our info session on November 22, 2023. You can find the slides here:
Bielefeld University_Study and Internships
Study in OWL
As a student from one of the Edmonton institutions you can study for one or two semester at one of the universities in OWL.
Click on the following links to see what the OWL institutions offer for incoming exchange students, including English-taught classes.
Study in Edmonton
Students at the OWL universities who are interested in a semester abroad in Edmonton can study at one of the four partner institutions. Which university you can choose, depends on your course of study, the courses offered by the respective partner institution, and the yearly placement options.
The number of places is determined every year. Please contact the International Office at your home university, they will be happy to support you.
Internships in OWL
Are you interested in gaining international work experience? As a student from University of Alberta, MacEwan University, Concordia University of Edmonton, or NAIT, you have the opportunity to pursue an internship in OWL, Germany. Internships are offered at one of the faculties at Bielefeld University, Paderborn University, HSBI, TH OWL, or with companies in the region.
How to apply
Internship postings are published on this website. You will find more information on how to apply and what documents to submit in the individual calls. To apply, please always first contact the International Office at your home university, who will connect you with the internship provider at the universities or companies in OWL.
Support during your stay
As an intern, you will receive support from the universities to help you settle in, get acquainted with the German language and culture, and make the most of your stay in OWL.
Open Calls (2025)
Overview of OWL internships 2025
Current Internship Postings (for students from the Alberta institutions):
Paderborn University
Internship in Humanities Faculty at Paderborn University
Internship in Psychology Department at Paderborn University
Internship Teaching English at Paderborn University
Internship in Particle Technology Group at Paderborn University
Internship in Direct Manufacturing Research Center at Paderborn University
Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI)
International Office
Center for Applied Data Science
Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics
HSBI in cooperation with OWL companies
TH OWL University for Applied Sciences and Arts
Internship at Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Bielefeld University
The next internships postings at Bielefeld University will be for 2026 (will be posted in late summer/fall 2025)
Research Cooperation
The Alberta OWL institutions also collaborate in research. In the past, academic workshop have taken place on Nursing and Health Care (‘Challenges in Nursing Care and Health Care in OWL and Alberta − Commonalities and Differences’) as well as on Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice: School Research in Canada and Germany.
We CAN virtuOWL
In 2020 Campus OWL launched the We CAN VirtuOWL project focusing on digital, collaborative teaching and learning formats. This project was selected to receive funding by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The funding was provided through the „International Virtual Academic Collaboration (IVAC)“ program that was initiated by the DAAD and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The Alberta OWL institutions continue to work together to promote virtual exchange and digital teaching and learning opportunities.
The IVAC teaching formats were carried out from the German winter term 2020/21 to winter term 2021/22 and covered various subjects. The project offered professional development, training and information events in the form of COIL-workshops (Collaborative Online Learning) conducted by the SUNY COIL Center. To enable an interdisciplinary exchange between the lecturers and staff of the project, monthly virtual meetings of the “Community of Practice” were held on topics such as digital tools, evaluation and further funding opportunities for transatlantic cooperation. To enhance the students’ intercultural exchange beyond the virtual class room, We CAN virtuOWL offered a Digital Student Exchange as well as an E-Tandem for peer-to-peer learning and communication across borders in a more informal and interactive way.
Summary: We CAN VirtuOWL project 2020-2022 (PDF)
Why hold an international collaborative teaching course (You Tube Video)
Bielefeld University Guide to International Collaborative Teaching (PDF)
We CAN VirtuOWL – the Video (You Tube Video)