20 November 2024

On 13 November 2024, the second staff meeting of the year took place at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences - and this time in a special format. For the first time, the event was organised as a "World Café" - an open discussion platform that focused on exchange and cooperation between university members. With the guiding theme "How do we want to organise and live communication at HSN?", the Executive Board took up a concern that had been expressed many times in a previous survey.

"World Café" at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences: employees discuss together how communication at the university can be organised and improved.

(Photos: Mandy Tabatt)

The participants were given the opportunity to exchange ideas in several rounds of questions at themed tables. The aim was to shed light on key aspects of communication at the university and develop ideas for even more effective and open communication. The event was moderated by Dr Anne Dölemeyer, political scientist, freelance moderator and conflict consultant, who led the afternoon and provided impetus for a solution-oriented discussion.

Questions such as: "How can we strengthen internal communication?", "Which communication channels do we use - and which are missing?" and "How can the exchange between the various groups at the university be improved?" were discussed at the themed tables. The results of these discussions were then summarised and will serve as a basis for future measures.

University President Prof Dr Jörg Wagner emphasised the importance of this event: "A successful university thrives on open and constructive communication. We can only master the challenges of the future if we promote dialogue and work together on solutions. This event has shown how important it is to listen to the needs of all university members."

Chancellor Jan Funke, who is also Head of Human Resources at the university, also emphasised the relevance of the format: "Communication is the foundation of our collaboration. Today, we have not only recognised the need for improvement, but have also taken the first steps towards better communication. Our aim is for all members of the university to feel heard."

The results of the World Café are now being analysed and will be incorporated into the further development of internal communication structures. Another aim is to make the staff meetings even more interactive and topic-related in future in order to strengthen the dialogue at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences in the long term.