A lifetime of learning? - Of course!

Lifelong learning is of great importance to everyone and has received increasing attention in recent decades, finding its way into many educational policy demands and concepts. In line with the HSZG’s research focus on“Transformation Processes in Business and Society,”it is a strategic goal of the university to establish itself as a partner in lifelong learning and to serve as an institutional bridge between general, vocational, and academic education for various target groups. To achieve this goal, a concept for lifelong learning at our university was developed under the leadership of the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Professor Dr. Sophia Keil, and the Office of Education. This concept is part of the agreement on objectives between the Saxon State Ministry of Science, Culture, and Tourism (SMWK) and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The concept was developed through a participatory process and is therefore a collaborative effort by experts both within and outside the university.

The concept of a possible Upper Lusatian center for lifelong learning comprises four pillars.

The educational programs pillar builds on the successful and well-established offerings for various target groups.

The concept that has been developed serves as the first starting point for shaping the area of “academic continuing education in the context of lifelong learning.” Further “University for Future” workshops will be held to either explore the concept’s ideas in greater depth or discard them as necessary, in order to establish a shared path in line with the participatory approach to shaping the future of higher education.

The figure shows the timeline and task plan for developing the lifelong learning strategy.

"VUCA" refers tovolatility,uncertainty,complexity, and ambiguity—which are considered hallmarks of the modern world. This also applies to the education of our students, as the goal is to adapt to change, respond to it, and remain capable of taking action. Therefore, on May 11, 2022, interested members of the university community gathered in the Audimax in Zittau on the occasion of this year’s Teaching Day to exchange ideas with experts on the topic: “Studium Fundamentale and 21st-Century Skills.”

Dr. Schubert from HTWK Leipzig and Dr. Pohl from TU Bergakademie Freiberg presented external perspectives and best practices for a general education program in Saxony. Prof. Dr. Brinker, long-time chair and co-founder of the Society for Key Competencies in Teaching, Research, and Practice (Gesellschaft für Schlüsselkompetenzen in Lehre, Forschung und Praxis e.V.), as well as Florian Rampelt, who works for the German Stifterverband, discussed the key competencies necessary in the 21st century in general. As key qualifications, Prof. Brinker emphasized, for example, interdisciplinary work, as well as recognizing and dealing with diversity and navigating the digital space.

In addition to the varied presentations, the student perspective played a particularly important role on Teaching Day. Uta Lemke and Peter Nerlich, who are both actively involved in the Student Council and the Faculty Student Committee for computer science, respectively, outlined a “Studium Fundamentale” for the future. Both hope that the HSZG will enable “cross-disciplinary study”—that is, that as many modules as possible from different degree programs will be opened up to the “Stufu” program, allowing students to choose the subjects they want themselves. In their view, this would enable greater depth of knowledge in their respective fields.

The interdisciplinary expertise and added value for society resulting from the integration of environmental, economic, and social issues were also highlighted. Furthermore, following the COVID-19 pandemic, there are increased opportunities for collaboration with other universities, as digital and hybrid classes / courses are increasingly being offered in the higher education landscape. There could be an exchange of Stufu module content between universities. This could enhance the diversity and international scope of the Stufu program. Professor Keil is currently in discussions with representatives of the “Studium Generale Sachsen” working group regarding this matter. The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences hosted the working group’s spring meeting on May 7, 2022.

The Studium Fundamentale program can present important methods and strategies for solving current problems that are not part of a specialized degree program. In this way, Stufu can also play a greater role in the field of lifelong learning and help shape the region through project-based and interdisciplinary offerings.

The Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Professor Keil, extends her heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in supporting lifelong learning at our university and in the region.