Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel has taken over the rectorate at Fachhochschule Dortmund. Former Rector Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Schwick, who retired on March 1, personally handed over the certificates of appointment to the new Vice Rectors.
"This Rectorate stands for an open and sustainable university that has an impact on society and actively shapes transformation processes," emphasized Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel(Opens in a new tab) on this occasion. She has been Vice Rector for Teaching and Studies since 2019. Providing students with the best possible support on their path into practice is the core task of Fachhochschule Dortmund. In order to make this path possible for everyone, didactic and financial support services are to be strengthened. "At the same time, we want to think more flexibly about educational pathways and further strengthen our very good positions in internationalization and the digital transformation in society," says Prof. Appel.
In addition to educational equity, the new Rectorate is also focusing on the topic of sustainability. "The 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations must be firmly anchored in research, curricula and infrastructure," emphasized Prof. Appel. The Rectorate is aware of its role model function towards all stakeholders and wants to make the university a sustainable place to teach and live. The large number of people who actively contribute their ideas to the focus group on social responsibility shows that both ecological and social sustainability are important to the people at Fachhochschule Dortmund.
The four new Vice Rectors
The now officially appointed Vice-Rectors had previously been elected by the University Election Assembly. Prof. Dr. Stephan Weyers(Opens in a new tab) succeeds Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel as Vice-Rector for Teaching and Studies. He has been Professor of Mathematics, Statistics and Production at the Faculty of Business Studies since 2019 and has particular expertise in innovative and interactive teaching as well as the internationalization of study programs. Prof. Dr. Jörg Thiem(Opens in a new tab) has been teaching at the Faculty of Information Technology since 2013 and is now Vice-Rector for Transfer and Research. He has acquired and completed numerous funding and industry projects, particularly in the field of robotics, and is very well networked in the region.
Dr Ramona Schröpf(Opens in a new tab) is Vice-Rector for Communication and Internationalization. She has also been at Fachhochschule Dortmund since 2013 and teaches at the Faculty of Business Studies, specializing in International Business Communications and Intercultural Relations. In addition to her expertise from numerous projects in the field of international teaching, she also contributes her experience in the development of new communication strategies. Prof. Dr. Franz Vogler(Opens in a new tab) takes over the Vice-Rectorate for Sustainability and Digitalization. He has been teaching at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering since 2022. From his work in the industrial sector, he brings practical expertise in areas such as digitalization for a more efficient use of resources.
Prof. Dr. Tamara Appel will be officially appointed as Rector of Fachhochschule Dortmund on July 1. Until then, she will head the Rectorate as Deputy Rector.
The Rectorate is the university's governing body. It consists of the Deputy Rector, the four Vice Rectors and Chancellor Jochen Drescher.