Vision and Guidelines

of the Kiel University of Applied Sciences

Preamble:

On the basis of its vision and guiding principles, the Kiel University of Applied Sciences has formulated a target it aspires to. It is the duty of every employee to implement this. In addition, the vision and guiding principles serve to communicate the university’s profile and objectives to the outside world.

Vision:

We are the university of excellence for teaching in northern Germany!

Guidelines:

1. For us, excellent teaching is interdisciplinary, application-oriented, based on research and science, and characterised by its internationality and the wide range of methods used.

excellent teaching is a main feature of our higher education institute’s profile. Our teaching is application-oriented since it demonstrates science-based approaches to answering questions and solving problems in society and the economy. Our teaching methods are based on the latest scientific findings, which also result from our own application-oriented research and development. Due to its diverse scientific disciplines and numerous collaborations with international partners the university enables the potential of interdisciplinary and international teaching and in doing so changes perspectives for teachers and students. From our point of view, excellent teaching also means focusing on the continuous implementation of diverse teaching and learning methods which allow us to align with individual teaching and learning opportunities and the needs of all groups at our university. Integrated internships and the practical relevance of project reports and thesis papers submitted by our students strongly enhance the application-oriented approach of our teaching.

 

2. Our graduates have a well-founded and wide range of professional competence in their specialisations as well as good key competencies (soft skills). They pursue solution-oriented approaches, work well in teams, respect other perspectives and cultures, and assist in actively shaping their social environment.

the excellence of teaching in the Bachelor’s degree programmes becomes apparent through wide ranging (and expandable) basic qualifications. Graduates are qualified to adapt to the changing demands of professional life and life-long learning. Master's programmes serve to recognise the special need for executives and skilled professionals in enterprises and organisations. In addition, our graduates acquire comprehensive soft skills and methodical competencies. They act in a solution-oriented manner, are open to criticism, and are able to understand other theories and academic disciplines. Moreover, our graduates excel in open-mindedness, a sense of responsibility, and tolerance.

 

3. We incorporate relevant developments in science, society and the economy and implement them in future-oriented study programmes. Our University sees itself as an innovative pacemaker for  Schleswig-Holstein.

our university is  able to adapt to social developments and to respond to them with attractive study programmes, e.g. Multimedia Production,  Early Childhood Education, Physiotherapy,  Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, or Business Information Systems. Based on our interdisciplinary competence this capacity is to be further developed to become an outstanding feature in managing innovation. When creating our study programmes, we take into account the dynamic development of the regional labour market and qualify our graduates accordingly.

 

4. Our application-oriented research and development is the foundation for our excellent teaching. Our University is a reliable and innovative partner for businesses and non-profit organisations. 

pursuing own research and development activities ensures the high scientific level of our teaching. The expertise of high-performing institutions such as the Institute for CIM Technology Transfer and the Research & Development Centre FH Kiel GmbH is at our disposal to develop innovative solutions on a high scientific level for enterprises and non-profit organisations. In doing so, we are able to provide the required cutting-edge teaching and transfer this knowledge into society. Following this aim, we shall further avail ourselves of our interdisciplinary competences. Furthermore, we are convinced that the unlimited creation of new knowledge acquired by free research is also necessary to gain a high academic level in teaching and technology resp. knowledge transfer.

In addition, excellent application-oriented research and development is a necessary pre-requisite for the acquisition of third-party funds, the reputation of the Kiel University of Applied Sciences and recruitment and retention of highly qualified scientists.

5. Our University uses its international orientation to promote its regional strengths. It continues to expand its cooperation with other universities, organisations and companies.

the regional mission obliges the university to equip its graduates and partners in research and development with knowledge they can build upon in a global world. Therefore, we actively promote mobility and the exchange of students and teachers and we perceive ourselves to be part of the international science community.  

We are aware that nowadays efficient research and development can only be conducted within an alliance and we collaborate therefore with other universities, research and development institutions as well as enterprises, and non-profit organisations, e.g. Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energies and Climate Protection of Schleswig-Holstein. Cooperation is not limited to R&D activities however but covers teaching as well, which, we can only achieve mutually in the special subject fields within the environment of Schleswig-Holstein. Trend-setting in this context are the study courses in Industrial Engineering, Business Management ONLINE, and Business Information Systems ONLINE in collaboration with Oncampus GmbH at the Lübeck University of Applied Sciences and its partner institutes in Germany and around the Baltic Sea.  

Globalisation is having a strong impact on the political, social, ecological, and economic framework of society. We, therefore, regard internationalisation to be a cross-cutting task affecting teaching, research, knowledge transfer, continuous education, and administration. Therefore, our university promotes and is expanding its international relationships with universities, enterprises, and organisations.

6. Our University thrives on diversity. It creates educational processes that are gender-appropriate, intercultural, and non-discriminatory.

diversity in practice is a quality feature of our university and includes a diversity of disciplines, cultures, nationalities, and learning and teaching methods which we experience to be enriching and foster. Diversity challenges our university to take different perspectives and to respect them.  Gender-appropriate teaching and research are essential components of the university. We experience the diversity of people to be enriching. All people studying or working at the Kiel University of Applied Sciences experience the best possible conditions to develop themselves and their talents in an environment which continually develops a culture of respect and is characterised by the appreciation and recognition of every single person.

7. Our University accepts its cultural remit in both its city suburb and the region. 

Kiel University of Applied Sciences is located in an historic part of Kiel. As a consequence, obligations derive therefrom. The Computer Museum, the Media Dome and the Observatory, the Bunker-D as well as the old Howaldt Foundry House nearby has enabled the university to become a supporter of culture in the urban district of Dietrichsdorf and on the eastern bank of the Kiel firth. The intention is to expand this task and to make it a characteristic of our university. Practical diversity and our cultural mission allow us to provide educational processes for our members that go far beyond the acquisition of employability

8. Our University is an attractive employer for all its employees.

the university wishes to attract and retain committed and high-performing staff. As an employer our university is equally committed to promoting the aims, motivation, dedication and collaboration of the employees, to enabling academic freedom in teaching and research, and satisfying the demands of staff with regard to safety and reliability.