Minister Neubaur finds out about the unique study model at Witten/Herdecke University

With innovative study models, sustainable (research) projects and a guiding principle that focuses on personal development, Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) has seen itself as a pioneer in the German educational landscape for 40 years. During a visit to UW/H, Mona Neubaur, Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Verena Schäffer, leader of the Green Party in the NRW state parliament, and Dr Janosch Dahmen, member of the German Bundestag and health policy spokesperson for the Green Party, learned about Germany's first private university, its exceptional teaching methods and the sustainable plans and projects of the past and coming years.

Degree programmes are geared towards the needs of the labour market

The discussion focused on the unique Bachelor of Choice study model, which allows students to spend a year getting to know different departments before finally deciding on a degree programme. "It is anchored in the DNA of our university to realise visionary ideas and provide impetus for health, business and society," says University President Prof Dr Martin Butzlaff. With innovations such as the Bachelor of Choice, the UW/H continues to succeed in this today; it focuses on the needs of the next generation, aligns its portfolio accordingly and trains specialists in degree programmes such as "Economics, Politics and Law" or "Social Data Science" to meet the needs of the labour market.

Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Mona Neubaur: "Young people gain the knowledge here that will enable them to develop solutions for the challenges of our time, position themselves as experts and shape our economy in the future. It is impressive how Witten/Herdecke University places the social, economic and ecological changes that our society needs at the centre of its research and teaching."

Responsibility as one of the largest employers in the region

In StudierendenGesellschaft, UW/H has a partner at its side that developed a unique financing model more than 25 years ago - the Income Share Agreement (ISA). This enables everyone to study in Witten, regardless of their financial background. "This and many other examples show that we take sustainability and equity seriously and have always placed them at the centre of our actions," says Prof. Dr Martin Butzlaff. For example, the Centre for Sustainable Leadership (ZNU) at UW/H developed the world's first holistic and certifiable sustainability management standard. And to cope with the growing number of students and employees, the university opened one of the most sustainable university buildings in Germany in October 2021 using a timber hybrid construction.

As a Witten native, Verena Schäffer also emphasises the role that the UW/H plays as one of the largest employers in the region: "Joint projects show that the university plays a decisive role in shaping the city of Witten, the commitment and life here," says the Green politician. For example, an online platform is currently being created at the UW/H that connects volunteering citizens and students.

Further information: The urgently needed transformation of our society and planetary approaches to thinking and acting will also be the focus of the SWITCH conference, which will take place at Witten/Herdecke University on 14 and 15 September. Further information can be found on the website.