Witten/Herdecke University and consulting firm zeb agree on cooperation

The Private Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) and the strategy, IT and management consultancy zeb intend to work closely together in the field of banking and finance research and teaching. According to a joint statement by Prof. Dr Martin Butzlaff, President of UW/H, and Dr Markus Thiesmeyer, Managing Director of zeb, the primary objective is to establish an institutional cooperation between the university and the management consultancy. An extra-occupational training programme in the field of "Financial Services, Finance and Banking" is to be established under the umbrella of the UW/H. In addition, third-party funded research activities are to be developed jointly.

The newly founded zeb.institute for financial services will be headed by Prof Dr Michael Lister. It will be run as an associated independent institute of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Society at UW/H. In close connection and coordination with this faculty, a part-time Bachelor's and a part-time Master's degree programme will be offered: These degree programmes are aimed in particular at employees from companies in the financial services industry as well as employees of financial intermediaries.

Transferring theory directly into practice

The philosophy of the consulting firm zeb has always been based on the idea that scientific findings should lead to practical benefits for companies. The newly founded institute takes up this principle and is thus committed to transferring theory into practice in research and teaching as part of part-time degree programmes. Following the tradition of Witten/Herdecke University, these programmes will also promote and challenge students' critical reflection skills and creative problem-solving abilities in the long term.

zeb CEO Dr Markus Thiesmeyer is delighted with the agreed cooperation: "The UW/H has received top ratings for teaching and research for years and is one of the most popular universities in Germany. I see many opportunities for synergy effects between the university and us as a consultancy firm, particularly in the great practical relevance." The President of the university, Prof. Dr Martin Butzlaff, emphasises the added value of the cooperation: "We are certain that with zeb we have a very competent partner at our side who shares our values and with whom we can develop further networks in the financial industry. The planned part-time degree programmes complement our range of courses in management and entrepreneurship as well as our interdisciplinary degree programmes, including philosophy, politics and economics or business, politics and law. We are thus addressing topics that are highly relevant for the future of our economy and our society."