The innovative CampusKompass module for students promotes active participation in shaping the university and supports the acquisition of valuable skills for committee work.
With the "CampusKompass: Committee work and university practice" module, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences has created an innovative course in the winter semester 2024/25 that specifically inspires and qualifies students to actively participate in shaping their university. Developed in a participatory process under the leadership of the Vice-Rector for Education and International Affairs, Professor Sophia Keil, and the University Didactics Officer, Daniel Winkler, the module is a project close to the heart that makes an important contribution to strengthening student self-administration.
Committees are the places where key decisions are made regarding the further development of our university - from the introduction of new degree programmes and the ongoing optimization of teaching and learning conditions to the strategic orientation with regard to research and internationalization. They offer all status groups - students, employees and professors - the opportunity to actively shape the future of our university. As the largest status group, students are the focus of my work. It is particularly important to me to empower them in their committee work and provide them with the tools they need to participate in decision-making. The new CampusKompass module, which was developed together with students in line with the students-as-partners approach, pursues precisely this goal: by teaching central key skills, students can further develop their personality and actively and effectively help shape their university.
”The students-as-partners approachdescribes a cooperative and equal collaboration between students and teachers in the design of teaching and learning processes as well as the further development of university structures. Students are seen not only as learners, but also as active co-creators whose perspectives and skills contribute significantly to the improvement and innovation of higher education. This approach not only promotes the quality of teaching, but also strengthens students' sense of responsibility, self-efficacy and loyalty to their university.
The module was developed to inspire students to actively participate in shaping their university and to show them the importance of voluntary committee work as an opportunity for personal development. Together with committed students - including Svea Holtkamp, Julia Jurczyk, Nathalie Lange, Miriam Meyer, Luise Porst, Johann Scheffel, Max Scholz, Deny Seredenko and Annika Thomas - the module was developed in several intensive workshops. Their perspectives, ideas and feedback played a key role in the design - a prime example of the participatory university design that is practiced at the HSZG.
The participatory approach of involving the students in the development of the modules was crucial in order to develop a practical and needs-oriented program. The close collaboration with the students showed us all how successful working together as equals can be.
”The module kicked off with the Introduction to University Structures and Policy course on October 23, 2024 in Görlitz. The Rector of the HSZG opened the afternoon with a welcome address.
The CampusKompass module is a prime example of how commitment, creativity and collaboration can be combined to provide lasting impetus for our university culture. It shows that students can achieve outstanding things with the right tools and the necessary support.
”The CampusKompass committee module includes the following thematic focuses, which were carried out by experienced lecturers and external experts:
Participants not only gained in-depth knowledge about working in university committees, but also developed skills that are useful for their personal and professional development.
At the end of the module, a workshop was held on January 7, 2025, in which the students evaluated the content and experiences together with the Vice-Rector for Education and International Affairs, Professor Sophia Keil, and the lecturer for university didactics, Daniel Winkler. A moderated reflection discussion and a Teaching Analysis Poll, a structured feedback process that specifically identifies learning obstacles and potential for improvement, were used. The results are incorporated directly into the planning for the next semester. The CampusKompass committee module will be established in Studium Fundamentale in the long term and continuously developed further.
Ongoing discussions with students help us to continuously develop the committee module and adapt it optimally to their needs.
”The students who took part in the committee module commented as follows:
"I really liked the fact that we covered the most important basics of committee work in a comparatively short time."
Annika Thomas
"The content on moderation, presentation and chairing meetings was particularly helpful for my previous and future committee work. I also find the external perspective that we need to allocate tasks and responsibilities even more clearly in our work in future very valuable."
Johann Scheffel
"For me, the coolest thing was that the content is not only highly relevant for committee work, but also for personal and professional development."
Denys Seredenko
"CampusKompass: Committee work and university practice" is not just a module, but an important measure to promote a culture of co-determination at the HSZG. With CampusKompass, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences has created a format that shows how successful cooperation at eye level can be - and that encourages students to play an active role in shaping the future of their university.
Committee work is a central pillar of democratic co-determination at universities. It offers students the opportunity to actively participate in decision-making processes, help shape the development of their university and represent the interests of the student body. By participating in committees, students not only learn about university policy processes, but also develop important social and professional skills such as negotiation, teamwork and conflict management. Active participation is a decisive factor in ensuring that the university performs its tasks in the interests of all those involved.
Student representatives can be found in the following areas of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences:
All students of a faculty (sometimes also of a department) form the student council. Students can elect a student council as a co-determination body. The student council represents the interests of its students and elects student members to the faculty council, the study commission and the examination and practical committee.
The student representatives of the university form the student council of the university. As an organ of the student body, it represents the interests of the student body as a legal entity of the university and is responsible for the interests of students throughout the university.
The Vice-Rector for Education and International Affairs, Professor Sophia Keil, would like to thank all students, in particular Svea Holtkamp, Julia Jurczyk, Nathalie Lange, Miriam Meyer, Luise Porst, Johann Scheffel, Max Scholz, Deny Seredenko and Annika Thomas, as well as the lecturers and contributors who have enriched the CampusKompass module with their commitment and creativity. Their commitment has made the introduction of this module a success.
