23 December 2022

The continuing education programme at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences has grown in recent years and is to be further expanded in the future with a wide range of courses. The focus here is primarily on future-oriented topics.

By signing the contract with the Thuringian Ministry of Science, University President Prof Dr Jörg Wagner gave the go-ahead for the new Institute for Academic Continuing Education at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences on Thursday.

"Professor Andreas Bergknapp has agreed to head the new institute," explains the President. Bergknapp will be supported by Stephanie Aurin and Diana Stolze as research assistants. "We started at the university in 2010 with the first continuing education Master's programme in Systemic Counselling," says Andreas Bergknapp, looking back. This was followed by the Transdisciplinary Early Intervention, Social Work and Trauma Education, Memorial Work and Human Rights Education in Social Professions degree programmes. "Next semester, we are also hoping to launch 'Curative Education - Education and Heterogeneity'," adds Stephanie Aurin. Further degree programmes, for example on current topics relating to the energy transition, are also being planned.

The second area on offer is four degree programmes leading to a certificate: child and family-centred attitude, network technology and network operation for district heating, management and company succession and diversity-sensitive remembrance work. The Network Technology degree programme is fully booked for the first intake with 20 students. Stephanie Aurin reports strong demand.

"Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences stands for academic continuing education. We want to develop synergies internally and become more visible externally," emphasises Andreas Bergknapp. The new institute is set to become an important pillar alongside the Master's and Bachelor's degree programmes. "We are also focussing on continuing professional development," adds Stephanie Aurin. For example, it will be possible to complete the continuing education programme even if the participants do not have a Bachelor's degree.

"We are launching this comprehensive programme and hope to attract many interested parties. This is not about acquiring additional funding. With the new institute, we are creating a point of identification internally and at the same time want to achieve greater visibility externally," concludes Professor Wagner.