Minister Brandes learns about pioneering teaching and research at Witten/Herdecke University

With exemplary medical training, innovative degree programmes such as Social Data Science or Global Sustainability and a focus on areas such as sustainable entrepreneurship and health economics, Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) is committed to realising application-oriented research and pioneering teaching and shaping a sustainable and fair society. During a visit to Witten, Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and the university management discussed not only the special features of UW/H, but also the past and future cooperation between the ministry and the university.

Science Minister Ina Brandes: "The training of doctors is one of the major tasks of the university medical centres in North Rhine-Westphalia in order to ensure good medical care in our state. With its Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University is making an outstanding contribution here. The university also impresses with its research results: for example, in cancer research or in the care of people with advanced dementia, the scientists are providing strong impetus!"

Working together for sustainable structural change in North Rhine-Westphalia

With the Reverse Generation Contract (UGV), the StudierendenGesellschaft has also created a financing model that allows anyone and everyone to study at UW/H - regardless of their financial background. "Studying at Witten is therefore not only an investment in your own career and personality, but also in the next generation: through the contributions that our alumnae and alumni make to the UGV, they enable current students to study," says University President Prof Dr Martin Butzlaff. This shows that the UW/H takes sustainability and equity seriously and has always placed them at the centre of its activities. The timber hybrid building, which will open in 2021, is also a testament to this and is an example of sustainable structural change in the Ruhr region.

"As a university from the centre of the Ruhr region, we want to make our contribution to this structural change with all our energy, creativity and entrepreneurial dynamism," says Prof. Dr Martin Butzlaff.