28 August 2026

Nordhausen, 28 August 2026. Thuringia’s Minister for Social Affairs, Katharina Schenk, visited Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (HSN) yesterday to gain a first-hand impression of the work carried out by the university’s social services team. The focus of the visit was the Nordhausen pilot project, which is dedicated to students’ mental health.

The University President, Prof. Dr Jörg Wagner, welcomed the Minister and introduced the meeting. Vice-President for Studies and Teaching, Prof. Dr Cordula Borbe, then explained the concept of university social work as a preventive bridge between social support and healthcare. The Nordhausen pilot project has created a unique opportunity to address students’ mental health at an early stage and in an accessible manner. Conny Sander, Head of University Social Work, presented the practical work being carried out and the interim evaluation results.

During the meeting, Prof. Dr Maik Arnold and Prof. Dr Cordula Borbe also personally presented to the Minister the ESF+-funded WORT Nord project, which is dedicated to retaining international graduates in the North Thuringia region.

During a tour of the university social work facilities, the Minister for Social Affairs showed great interest in the services on offer. In the discussion that followed, she worked with those in charge to develop constructive proposals for possible ways of providing further support for the project.

„It was a very refreshing discussion, characterised by good, well-thought-out questions and a genuine interest in our work,“ said Prof. Dr Cordula Borbe following the visit.

Nordhausen University regards this visit as an important sign of recognition of university social work as an integral part of student health promotion and hopes that the constructive dialogue with the Thuringian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family will continue.