VDWF Educational Initiative: Awarded – Hochschule Schmalkalden is recommended 100 percent

Quality Seal Provider

Quality Seal Care

Prof. Dr. Thomas Seul welcomes the participants of the alumni meeting at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences. The two-day event was last held in 2016 as part of the Innovation Forum for Plastics Technology and Toolmaking.

Further education should also be fun! The study coordinators organize leisure activities such as introductory evenings, biathlon shooting, or canoeing. "We are committed to fostering a sense of community," says Peggy Schütze, coordinator for the degree programs in the field of tool and mold making.

The study coordinators Anke Köhler, Thomas Oelsner, Peggy Schütze, and Franziska Kemnitz: In each degree program, students have the same contact person throughout.

Every year, FernstudiumCheck – an independent review portal for distance learners – awards the best provider. The Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, which offers six study programs in cooperation with the VDWF, is also evaluated there. For the past year, a total of 9,261 reviews were submitted to the portal. To be included in the award's ranking, a distance learning provider had to receive at least 50 reviews in the calendar year 2019 and achieve a rating of 3.75 out of 5 stars or higher. Additionally, the institutions needed a recommendation rate of at least 90 percent.

The Center for Continuing Education (ZfW) at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences met these conditions and was thus among the finalists at the award ceremony in early February. A participation that was crowned with success: In the category "Most Popular Distance Learning Providers 2020," the ZfW secured second place, just 0.02 points behind the top-ranked Vienna Business School. Out of a possible 10 points, the Schmalkalden institute achieved 9.48 and even improved by 0.08 points compared to the previous year. In 2019, it had secured first place. "This clearly shows the increase in the number of distance learning providers," explained Dr. Sandra Wolf, Managing Director of the Continuing Education Center. Quality therefore plays an increasingly important role. Addressing her team and the approximately 150 instructors, she added: "We can offer this quality. We achieved the highest recommendation rate with 100 percent." For the first time, the ZfW received the top grade in the category "Top Support 2020."

Wolf emphasized that this success was due to the work of the study coordinators. "For each study program, students have the same contact person throughout. These coordinators provide a warm, comprehensive service: from advising and support during self-study phases, to excellent supervision during on-campus periods – including weekends – up to the handing over of certificates. They help students stay on track with the schedule of their distance learning and also organize leisure activities where students can get to know each other better during the semester."

Six study programs in cooperation with the VDWF

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences offers around 30 part-time study programs leading to Bachelor's, Master's, and university certificates. In cooperation with the VDWF, six study programs are currently offered for tool and mold making. The advantages of such a distance learning program are obvious: Participants can complete it alongside their jobs and family life with short on-campus periods. Moreover, they do not have to interrupt their professional careers and are financially secured through their income.

"The concept of Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences is easier to reconcile with life because it either spans two semesters or five semesters," says Prof. Thomas Seul, Vice President for Research and Transfer at the university and President of the VDWF. "Over five semesters, the participant earns a higher-qualified Master's degree, while over two semesters, they obtain the nationally unique university certificate for further education. This efficiency and planning certainty distinguish these study programs," he explains. The two two-semester study programs include the Application Technician (FH) for Additive Processes and Rapid Technologies, and the Project Manager (FH) for Tool and Mold Making. The five-semester Master's programs include Computer Science and IT Management, Applied Plastics Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Management, and Mechanical Engineering and Management.

Curriculum tailored to industry requirements

The continuing education offerings are aligned with current realities and industry requirements. "The study programs are designed according to the needs of the manufacturing industry and are directly applicable, among other areas, in tool and mold making," explains Dr. Sandra Wolf. The content was developed in collaboration with the VDWF. Thomas Seul emphasizes another special feature of the Schmalkalden program: "Today, we are the only industry association with study programs approved by an examination regulation from the relevant Ministry of Thuringia – all our study programs are accredited."

Peggy Schütze, coordinator for the study programs in the tool and mold making sector, identified various reasons among students for pursuing further education: Most wanted to expand their knowledge, especially to supplement their technical understanding with business aspects such as marketing and sales. Others aim to improve their professional or financial prospects.

Equally important is the perspective of employers who train their staff: Especially small and medium-sized enterprises increasingly struggle to find suitable specialists to handle their orders. Employee training is therefore a crucial factor. "Many companies see further education as an incentive for deserving employees and potential leadership personnel," explains Thomas Seul. "They cover the costs of the studies and release the employees. In return, the employee commits to the company for a few years." Further education thus becomes an important tool for personnel planning and retaining key staff. Seul states: "A qualification is often worth more than the extra euro the employee earns per hour."

An overview of all continuing education offerings at the university can be found at www.hs-schmalkalden.de/weiterbildung.