How do you actually become a professor? The "Welcome Prof 360 Grad" project team organized a hybrid information event on this topic for the second time at Fachhochschule Dortmund. Both internal and external candidates interested in a professorship were invited.
Under the title "From practice to teaching: paths to a Fachhochschule Dortmund professorship", the event took place on May 20, 2025 in lecture hall U33 on the Emil-Figge-Straße 44 campus. Chancellor Svenja Stepper opened the evening digitally - together with Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers, the Vice-Rector for Teaching, Studies and International Affairs, who was present at the event.
FH as a top employer
Both welcomed the participants to one of the ten largest universities of applied sciences (HAW) in Germany and proudly pointed out that Fachhochschule Dortmund had just been named one of the top employers by Focus magazine. Finally, Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers gave a brief insight into his own career. He emphasized the importance of Fachhochschule Dortmund as an employer and how the project actively contributes to the recruitment of professors.
How do I become a professor? Angelika Schneidmüller, a member of the "Welcome Prof 360 Grad" project, addressed this question. She provided information about the necessary qualifications and tasks, the appointment process and salaries. The presentation was supplemented by contributions from Dr. Sabrina Raffenberg and Iris Bosold-Grund from the Graduate Center at Fachhochschule Dortmund on the topic of doctorates.
Inspiring first-hand insights
Three professors from Fachhochschule Dortmund - Prof. Dr. Simone Arnold, Prof. Dr. Katja Nowacki and Prof. Dr. Darius Schippritt - offered inspiring insights into their path from practice to academia and teaching. They reported on what motivated them to become professors and that their careers were not always straightforward, but that they first gained a lot of practical experience before embarking on an academic career.
Prof. Dr. Simone Arnold, Professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, emphasized the compatibility of family and career and that she appreciates the opportunity to be involved in shaping Fachhochschule Dortmund through committee work. Prof. Dr. Katja Nowacki and Prof. Dr. Darius Schippritt, who both began their studies at Fachhochschule Dortmund, felt deeply connected to their old university. "It's like coming home," said Prof. Dr. Darius Schippritt, professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, who now heads the laboratory of one of his former professors. He welcomed the fact that, as a professor, he can continue to maintain contact with industry and thus build a bridge between science and Business Studies.
The freedom in teaching and research was praised, as professors can determine their own research focus - a significant difference to Business Studies. Prof. Dr. Katja Nowacki, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Social Studies, also appreciates the freedom in teaching and research and is pleased with the many years of development at Fachhochschule Dortmund that she has witnessed.
Joint finale
Any unanswered questions from the hybrid event were clarified at the subsequent get-together on site. It was a successful hybrid event for the "Welcome Prof 360 Grad" project team and the university as a whole, with the direct personal exchange being particularly well received. The next date has already been set: November 5, 2025.