Learn from the best – this was the underlying idea of a workshop on striking the right balance between work and family life held at the end of last year at Steinbeis University Berlin. Twenty HR managers responded to an invitation from Prof. Dr. Dr. Helmut Schneider, Director of the Research Center for Family-Friendly Human Resources Policy at Steinbeis University Berlin. During the workshop, they discussed the prospects for innovative working hour arrangements.
After shorts talks from Professor Schneider, Astrid Oellerer (Trumpf), Udo Schwab (Merck) and Dr. Hans-Peter Klös (Institute for German Economic Research), the workshop participants engaged in lively discussion. The conversation revolved around factors that promote and hinder innovative working hour arrangements at the workplace, and the time demands experienced by Generation Y. Opinions were shared openly, and everyone who attended agreed the day was extremely beneficial.The workshop was organized through a company network on reconciliation management, an informal work group that regularly convenes to discuss current issues relating to reconciling work and family life. Summarizing the event, Professor Schneider says it was “An excellent platform, not only to exchange experiences between companies, but also for transfer between science and business.” The next event will focus on healthcare and careers.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Helmut Schneider
SVI Endowed Chair for Marketing and Direct Marketing, Steinbeis University (Berlin)
helmut.schneider@stw.de
Maintaining Germany’s technological advantage and stemming the lack of skilled workers is a mission of the ASA, a Steinbeis Transfer Institute known as the German Aerospace Academy. Its new Aerospace Engineering and Lightweight Technologies program culminates in a Master of Engineering degree and complements the ASA’s own training and continuing professional development program, which is aimed at the aerospace industry, automotive industry and all related branches. These sectors of industry are heavily involved in research and technology and seen as drivers of economic growth and employment.
The program is taught in English at the German Aerospace Academy (ASA) in Böblingen. It starts with the fundamentals of the aerospace engineering, lightweight technologies and relevant management subjects. During the second year, students are given the chance to specialize in aircraft technologies, space technologies, lightweight technologies, or a combination of all three disciplines. In this form, the specialization in lightweight engineering is totally new and underscores the huge potential this area holds for mechanical engineering overall. Lecturing staff is made up of specialists from leading universities like the University of Stuttgart, research centers like institutes of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and companies.
Like all SHB programs, the new master program is job-integrated and is based on the project-competence-concept, which requires a supervised project in the student’s company. Projects are supervised by two mentors: one from the company, one from the ASA. Applicants who are not employed or do not have a project will be supported by ASA to find a suitable company and project.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Monika Auweter-Kurtz
Steinbeis Transfer Institute German Aerospace Academy (ASA) (Böblingen)
monika.auweter-kurtz@stw.de
Starting in October, auditors working at all kinds of German companies will be able to gain a specialized master’s qualification. The German Institute for Internal Auditing (DIIR) has entered into a strategic partnership with the School of Governance, Risk & Compliance (School GRC) at Steinbeis University Berlin (SHB), making it possible for people in full-time work to gain more qualifications.
The two-year master program complements the continuing professional development program already offered by the DIIR. A certified university degree, the program covers a variety of disciplines and is closely matched to the changing nature of the profession, addressing the new range of tasks now required and evolving job demands.
The Project Competence Degree broadens the qualifications of internal auditors aspiring to enter a management position. The curriculum includes topics such as the nature of modern auditing, verification processes, specialist areas of revision such as white-collar crime or compliance, and legal issues pertinent to the profession of auditing. Seminars are closely geared to business practice, training course participants in key disciplines such as management, communication and conflict management. The students also gain exclusive access to a network of leading experts, become the first port of call for auditing issues, and have the chance to dedicate their energy to scientific pursuits through specialist research and publishing.
Time for student reps at Steinbeis University Berlin (SHB) to hand on the baton: As planned, at the end of last year Katharina Thau and Diego Ruch became head representatives for all students on the University Council, succeeding Karina Schuck and Matthias Völzke. The out-going student reps joined TRANSFER magazine to look back at their time in office.
The voluntary, unpaid work of a student rep covers many issues and topics. Sometimes a student might need personal support, due to academic or personal hardship. Sometimes there is a need for conflict mediation at one of the institutes. Sometimes people from inside or outside the organization simply need some questions answered. It’s all in a day’s work. There were a number of positive resolutions and highlights in 2012, plus successful head office projects. The six-monthly student meetings were expanded in terms of content and frequency. This made it possible to organize social gatherings, and academic exchange with top-notch guest presenters could also be included. The number of regular student reps has now grown and it is now easier for students to network virtually in an online forum during the course of their studies, at www.inside.steinbeis-hochschule.de.
One of the highlights lined up by the student reps, which was organized for the first time in 2012, was a summer festival for the whole of Steinbeis University. This was an ideal opportunity for students, alumni and lecturers to soak up the sunshine, share cocktails, listen to talks, play games to test mind and body, savor the food and enjoy an evening of live music. The next summer festival takes place on September 7, 2013, once again on the SIMT campus in Stuttgart.
To complete their time in office, the student reps conducted a survey among all students last summer. It attracted the highest return rate ever of over 1,000 questionnaires. The anonymous results of the survey have since been analyzed for all university departments and shared with the University Council. The president of SHB now plans to discuss the survey findings with institute directors and take action where necessary. Overall, studying at Steinbeis University would be recommended to others by 75% of respondents. The survey is scheduled to take place again this year.
Following in the footsteps of the head student reps on the University Council are Katharina Thau and Diego Ruch, both students at the School of Management and Technology. Both assumed office in October 2012. Having enjoyed their time representing other students, the outgoing student reps wish them a rewarding and engaging time in office, that the open dialog and collaboration with university directors may continue, and that both parties support the interests of one another. They will also be available to answer any questions the two might encounter during their new careers as student reps!
Karina Schuck | Matthias Völzke | Katharina Thau | Diego Ruch
Steinbeis University Berlin
karina.schuck@shb.stw.de | matthias-oliver.voelzke@shb.stw.de
katharina.thau@shb.stw.de | diego.ruch@shb.stw.de