"With this project, we are establishing a new form of cooperation between the university and the participating vocational schools. We want to set an example for similar projects," says Prof. Dr Anke Hanft, project manager and scientific director of the C3L - Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Oldenburg. Oliver Pundt, head of the vocational school (BBS) Oldenburg/Wechloy, agrees: "A great success of the project is that two institutions that have existed side by side for decades are now talking to each other. The co-operation is going very well. There are motivated people on both sides. Everyone is listening to each other and giving each other suggestions."
The project they are both talking about is called "Shaping the permeability of studies and academic appointments through digitalisation" and is funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) with around 375,000 euros. Its aim is to enable "state-certified business economists" to make an optimal transition to the part-time Bachelor's degree programme "Business Administration for SMEs".
To this end, the C3L and the vocational schools in Oldenburg/Wechloy and Aurich are harmonising their teaching content.
"If, for example, 70 per cent of the HR management course at the vocational school is already identical to that at the university, we could adapt it so that the module can be fully credited. This shortens the Bachelor's degree programme," explains Tim Zentner, Head of Part-time Degree Programmes at C3L. "If the content differs so much that it cannot be credited, we can align our teaching so that it connects as seamlessly as possible to the knowledge of the business economists."
Digitalisation is a second important aspect of the project. At C3L, online-based teaching units are part of everyday life alongside short attendance phases, while the technical colleges have so far relied on on-site teaching in the evenings.
"Online learning phases are also very interesting for our students and specialised students. Because our catchment area is getting bigger and bigger. For booksellers, for example, there are only around four schools in Germany," explains Oliver Pundt.
In Aurich, the location in the area adds to this. "For example, shipping specialists from Leer attend the technical college here on a part-time basis. They work 40 to 50 hours a week, plus 15 to 20 hours of lessons, each with a journey time of around two hours to Aurich and back. Internet-based learning from home is very interesting for this group," says Jörg Menne, Head of the Vocational School of Economics and Business Administration at the BBS Aurich.
For many of the state-certified business economists from East Frisia, a subsequent Bachelor's degree in Oldenburg only becomes realistic thanks to the online learning phases. "The companies in the region honour the commitment of employees who continue their education while working. They see that these young people are qualified for middle management," adds Wilhelm Mammen, Head of BBS Aurich. "Many of our vocational students also want to stay in the region. They have built houses here, started families and are involved in clubs and societies. We want to respond to the life situation of these young people by incorporating online programmes into our teaching and by developing optimal opportunities for subsequent studies in Oldenburg."
"Whether this is successful can still be tested during the end of the project," says Zentner. "Because within two years, there will be the first graduates of the technical college who will be able to take up a Bachelor's degree programme."
Contact:
C3L - Center for Lifelong Learning
Tim Zentner
Head of Division - Part-time Degree Programmes
Phone: 0441 / 798 44 33
Email:
