Theme dayUniversity Council and Academic Senate Discuss Excellence

16 September 2024, by Newsroom editorial office

Photo: UHH/Deike Haase

Members of the University Council, the Academic Senate, and Executive University Board exchanging thoughts about the 26 posters on the University’s Excellence Strategy measures

Photo: UHH/Deike Haase

Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Petra Wend and Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren

In mid-September, the University Council, the Academic Senate, and the Executive University Board gathered at the University of Hamburg to consolidate information and exchange thoughts on the University’s Excellence Strategy.

This was the first time the newly formed University Council gathered and it was an opportunity to share thoughts with the Academic Senate on a topic of their choosing. The participants wanted to focus this time on the Excellence Strategy. Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, president of the University of Hamburg, steered the group through the day.

Following a brief overview of the Excellence Strategy and the upcoming evaluation in 2025, members of the University Council and the Academic Senate had an opportunity to give feedback and clarify questions. They then took an intensive look at the Excellence measures summarized on 26 posters in the 5 topic areas: Twin Transformation, Research, Studies and Teaching, Knowledge Exchange and Career Paths, and Internationalization. There was also an opportunity to talk to the people responsible for the measures, areas of activity, and the Excellence measures themselves.

Following discussions in small groups, there were talks in the plenum about the major discussion points at the topic tables. These briefly summarized the most important topics and constituted a valuable platform for reflection.

The day ended with concluding words from Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Petra Wend, chair of the University Council, and Heekeren. Both emphasized the importance of the exchange and cooperation. “The event was a huge success. It was not only an excellent opportunity for exchange, it also contributed significantly to gathering feedback from the members of the University Council and Academic Senate for the sake of further planning and realizing of the Excellence Strategy. Together, we could approach the major topics of twin transformation, internationalization, etc. and discuss the areas of activity and concrete measures. Thank you to everyone involved. Together, we are developing our University of Excellence for the future,” said Heekeren.