For me, FHWS is …
a very diverse university of applied sciences which organises the “of applied sciences” aspect perfectly. In “my” e-commerce degree programme in the Faculty of Computer Science and Business Information Systems, I experience how brilliantly students are able to acquire knowledge and then implement and use it in practical and business-related projects every day. That’s a win for everyone involved and makes teaching in a course of study lively.
What do you appreciate about FHWS?
The diversity of the faculties and degree programmes with proximity to both regional as well as national and international projects, interests and companies. Interdisciplinary work is increasingly supported by the faculties, which I consider to be a win for everyone.
What was the best decision in your professional career and why? What has changed since then?
The best decision was my further development is a scientific context. After studying Business Administration specialising in Business Information Systems, I decided to return to university after some time in employment in order to do a doctorate. Thanks to financial support with the help of a doctoral scholarship from the LaKof (Landeskonferenz der Frauenbeauftragten), I was able to devote myself to my dissertation. I was also working part time in the field of search engine optimisation and online marketing at that time and took on teaching assignments at FHWS. I enjoyed this combination in particular a great deal, which ultimately brought me one step closer to my current dream job as a professor and helped me to get an offer from the University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt in 2011.
What do you think has shaped FHWS the most over the last 50 years?
The continuous development of the faculties through new bachelor’s and master’s programmes shows that we, as a university of applied sciences, are able to react flexibly to the developments of the time and impart content in the courses of study which is highly relevant.
What is your vision of the future for FHWS? What might FHWS look like in 50 years’ time?
I would like to see us succeed in further incorporating the positive experiences from digital communication and teaching during the time of the pandemic. In the future, a hybrid approach could be usefully implemented. In my role as Women’s Affairs Officer in particular, I can observe that some course sessions benefit significantly from a digital format.
My greatest wish is the achievement of parity – an almost equal proportion of women and men in all degree programmes, among research associates, lecturers, professorships and in the FHWS bodies. In some areas, we still have a long way to go in order to reach that goal. However, it is one of the aspects I care about and I am trying to move closer to achieving this goal every day with a lot of motivation myself and with the support of my invested team. With less than 18% of FHWS professorships held by women at FHWS, a lot remains to be achieved.
What is your insider tip for the cities of Würzburg or Schweinfurt and why?
A walk to the Marienberg Fortress, of course – ideally in the early hours of the morning in the summer in order to enjoy the sunrise :-)
Also the Museum im Kulturspeicher with its frequently changing international exhibitions.
The Walk of Fame at Würzburger Stein is also not to be missed. Here, you can meet friends and students time and again and can marvel at the beauty of the city from above with a wine you have brought with you.
The excellent rail connections take us in all directions in no time, even to nearby airports. This makes the Mainfranken region and the city of Würzburg the perfect starting point for places all over the world.