BIBB increases networking with universities

The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) is intensifying its collaboration with universities in Germany. A cooperation agreement has now been concluded with the FernUniversität in Hagen. The particular focus of future collaboration will be on themes of “academisation of vocational education and training” and “qualification of training personnel”.

Joint research projects and publications are planned over the next five years, as is the acceptance of lectureships and the support with examination papers by BIBB employees. An initial joint lecture is expected to take place in the coming winter semester in the FernUniversität's Bonn regional centre and will be rounded off with a visit to the BIBB by students on the “Educational Science” degree programme. In terms of content, the cooperation will be developed with the subject area of life-long learning (Prof. Dr. Uwe Elsholz) in the institute for educational science and media research.

“With a view to improving the permeability between vocational and academic education and training we see within the collaboration a strategic challenge and the chance for further profiling of research in vocational education and training” emphasised Prof. Dr. Reinhold Weiß, Deputy President and Research Director of the BIBB. “The FernUniversität in Hagen is an ideal partner for us because by flexibly structuring their degree courses in terms of time through distance teaching combined with lectures provided in regional centres, the university offers working people in particular good continuing education and training options and opens up new career options for these individuals.”

The Principal of the FernUniversität, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Helmut Hoyer, emphasized, “In view of the skills shortage which already exists and the global competition, both German employers and employees are facing continued challenges. In future, life-long learning will be an entirely normal part of everyday working life. The BIBB is the perfect place for the integration of learning in working life. We are delighted, together with our new partners, to be able to further improve the way we bring university teaching to employees and into companies.”

The FernUniversität in Hagen started teaching activities in 1975 and since then has been the contact point for all those seeking academic education but who do not wish to, or are not in a position to enrol in a traditional university. As a result, 80 percent of its students are employed at the same time. The university currently has over 77,000 students. In terms of numbers, this makes it the largest university in Germany.

Networking with universities and non-university research institutions is very important for the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training in order to improve the permeability between vocational and academic education and training and to encourage and support the next academic generation. The BIBB currently has equivalent cooperation agreements in place with 15 universities in Germany. In 2014, the BIBB also set up a foundation junior professorship for sociological vocational research at the University of Cologne.

Further information about the BIBB's university cooperation is available at www.bibb.de/en/1225.php

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