Department of Studies & Teaching

We, at the University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen, have been selected for the peer-to-peer strategy consulting of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (Higher Education Forum Digitization) (HFD)!

As one of six universities, Nordhausen University was chosen by a jury and will receive support from the HFD in its digitization process in 2023/24. The HFD is an initiative of the Stifterverband, the CHE Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (Centre for Higher Education Development), and the German Rectors' Conference, which has been assisting universities in shaping digital transformation since 2014.

What has happened so far?

Step 1: Self-reflection: We have analyzed our starting position and current challenges and formulated concrete goals for the further development of studying and teaching. In this process, the diversified project team at our university collaborated. The results have been documented in a written self-report. This was submitted to the external consulting and support team in mid-December and serves as the basis for the ongoing consultation process.

What can we expect next?

Step 2: Consultation Days – Visit of the "peers": On the 7th and 8th of February, external experts ("peers") will visit our university. Building on this, the challenges, goals, and possible paths of development will be discussed and reflected upon in a joint and participatory process.

Step 3: Recommendation Report: The peers, in collaboration with the HFD, will develop a recommendation report within approximately 8 weeks.

Step 4: Action Plan: After an internal discussion of the recommendation report, the project team will prepare a brief outlook in the form of an "Action Plan." This plan outlines the next steps of the strategy and implementation process in 3-5 pages and also includes a concrete outlook on which priorities and measures are to be implemented."

On February 7 and 8, the Peer-to-Peer Strategy Consulting days will take place at the University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen. The aim is to discuss and reflect on the challenges, goals and possible development paths of our university. The four peers, who will support and accompany us during the strategy consultation period, and representatives of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung (HFD) will come to the university for this purpose.

During the two-day visit, the university has developed an extensive program together with the peers. The aim is for the peers and the HFD to get to know our university and its members and to begin a goal-oriented collaboration. In the spirit of participatory process design, the peers will talk to various status groups at the university on the first day. In addition to the project team, these include the deans of studies and representatives of the support facilities and students. On the next day, the focus will be on developing the content of individual key topics in the digitalization process. All status groups work together in workshops for this purpose.

Following the consultation days, the peers will draw up a recommendation report for the University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen.

Facing writer's block with term papers or struggling to find motivation to get started? The PhD students at our university aim to remedy this. In the winter semester of 2023/24, a project will be launched to impart theoretical principles and collaborative writing skills. In the previous semester, the PhD students themselves participated in a writing workshop led by David Kreitz, gaining didactic knowledge that they now wish to share.

The doctoral student representatives outline the structure as follows (translated to English): "We are planning a semester-long format featuring a monthly session on scientific writing. During these sessions, theoretical aspects will be taught, and the students' needs will be considered. Additionally, we propose a monthly time slot for collaborative writing, where doctoral candidates will work together with students on their respective topics."

When? 18.10./01.11./15.11./29.11./13.12./17.01./31.01.

Where? H25 SR10