All students of Goethe University Frankfurt, the Technical University (TU) of Darmstadt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) can enroll free of charge in the new RMU Study Program – starting from July 1, 2020 for the coming 2020/2021 winter semester. This will give them the opportunity to supplement the courses of their degree program at their home university by attending courses and sitting examinations at the other two Rhine-Main Universities. They will also be able to make use of the libraries, computer centers, and student canteens at all three institutions of higher education. Professor Birgitta Wolff, President of Goethe University Frankfurt, stresses: "Thanks to the new RMU Study Program, our students will be able to take full advantage of the academic diversity and high quality of teaching at all our outstanding universities in the Rhine-Main region and, hence, satisfy their academic curiosity across an even broader spectrum. It brings us one step closer to the goal of establishing even closer links between our three universities."

Goethe University Frankfurt, TU Darmstadt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz established the strategic Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) alliance five years ago. The combined capacity of the three universities has generated numerous partnerships and projects. "The RMU Study Program represents a further milestone in the growth of our alliance. In order to be able to provide shared courses across state borders we had to overcome numerous bureaucratic hurdles and find creative solutions – and we did. The new RMU Study Program represents the successful outcome of all that effort," explains Professor Georg Krausch, President of JGU.

The COVID-19 pandemic has, naturally, had an impact on the launch of the RMU Study Program. At present, it is unclear whether it will be practicable by October for students to commute by train in the Rhine-Main area, or if they will be able to physically attend lectures or meet and eat in the canteens. "Nevertheless, the courses offered by our universities are currently only a mouse click away. This is an opportunity we hope to utilize for the purpose of improving our alliance for the benefit of our students – particularly with a view to how best to deal with crisis situations," Professor Tanja Brühl, President of TU Darmstadt, sums up.

Further information on the new RMU Study Program and FAQs can be found on the RMU website at https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/en/studies.