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UW/H: Entrepreneurial spirit
In addition to freedom and the responsibility which freedom implies, autonomy is one of the core values at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H). In recent years, politicians – specifically in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) – strengthened the autonomy and direct responsibility of higher education institutions via numerous initiatives and legislation; but as early as 1982 autonomy was one of the main elements of the UW/H concept. Right from the start UW/H has been standing for dynamic reforms of the traditional alma mater and an integration of Humboldt’s ideals of freedom and independence in the new and challenging context of a global knowledge society. We perceive ourselves as an entrepreneurial university where student education and research go hand in hand with application in practice.
What is entrepreneurial?
UW/H is entrepreneurial in so far as we decide on finances, organization, human resources and strategy ourselves. We are responsible for organizational development, recruitment of suitable students and staff, and also the university’s finances. Although UW/H as a private university is a limited liability company and mainly financed from private donations and proceeds from rendered services, we do not pursue traditional business objectives.
UW/H – a social business university
We are a non-profit enterprise. Our focus is not on profit maximization but on finding sensible solutions to social problems. Consequently, our approach is entrepreneurial where university management and development are concerned, but our perspective in research, teaching and social impact is that of a social business.
Witten works. In research, teaching and the society
We are not afraid to test new paths, e.g. in integrated and personalized outcomes research, theoretical foundation of nursing, or family business research. We start new degree programs where we perceive a demand. One example is our new interdisciplinary Bachelor program “Philosophy, Politics and Economics”, another the Master program “Family Business Management” for which UW/H received an award in the nationwide “land of ideas” competition.
Individual selection procedure
Our concept of Witten didactics, problem oriented learning in the medical curriculum, and also the integrated course in dental medicine were exemplary innovations for student education in Germany. We do not rely on the numerus clausus but select suitable students in a highly individual selection process. We are not interested in school grades; we want to know about an applicant’s character, entrepreneurial potential, commitment and the will to take responsibility.
Socially acceptable scheme of tuition fee payments
An intergenerational contract , a concept designed by our students and unique in Germany, supports equal opportunities in education through various modes of payment. Nobody shall be excluded from studies at UW/H for financial reasons. Tuition fees are an investment in a student’s future.
Commitment and entrepreneurial spirit
Witten/Herdecke students are encouraged to organize their studies like entrepreneurs. In the GründerWerkstatt (start-up incubator), an educational concept that received several awards, first-year economics students develop marketable ideas for their own business. During their time at UW/H our students learn what it means to act as an entrepreneur, as part of a team. The focus is always on encouragement of responsibility, initiative, creativity and the will to make a difference.
Students are active partners at UW/H
Student services – literally
The UW/H Hochschulwerk is in charge of all support services provided by student services at other universities: residences/dormitories, cafeterias, psychological assistance/social services. The difference is that in Witten the executive board is composed of students, there is no external executive. Students decide on cafeteria organization, all other services and also on finances.
Students are partners at UW/H
Student commitment goes even further: students form the executive board of the Studierendengesellschaft (SG). The SG manages tuition payments and looks for ways to fine-tune the intergenerational contract. They bear the double responsibility of ensuring that the system remains financially viable, and that studies at Witten/Herdecke University remain open to everybody. Main criteria for admission are an applicant’s personal drive and commitment, and not financial background.
The SG has handled these assignments successfully and responsibly over the years and today is one of the partners of Witten/Herdecke University. In Witten the university is (partly) owned by students; they hold five per cent of shares and are represented with voting rights in the Supervisory Board.
Other student initiatives
There are many other excellent examples of UW/H student initiatives; for a selection see here: