Founded in 1810 according to the ideas of Wilhelm von Humboldt, today's Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin was often named the "mother of all modern universities". As a result of numerous historical upheavals and the experience of a comprehensive self-renewal after 1989, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin today, sees itself as a reform university under the sign of excellence. This encompasses the self-image of an institution that has chosen to maintain a critical distance from political and social power. It opposes all forms of discrimination, intolerance and cultural self-aggrandizement. This claim is also anchored in the university's mission statement, which was adopted in 2002.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin maintains partnerships with over 170 academic institutions on all continents. The promotion of young academics, a sophisticated system of quality assurance in research and teaching, and academic reform make Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin one of Germany's leading universities with an outstanding national and international reputation.