CHE Consult | 2024 | October

 

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Law as a framework for digitalisation

14 October 2024

In an article for ‘DUZ’, Senior Consultants Anna Gehlke and Dr Ingeborg Lasser report on the joint responsibility of politicians and universities to create a legal framework for further digitalisation in teaching and studies and to regularly adapt it to current developments. The article is based on a case study conducted by CHE Consult for the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung.

The study was devoted to the question of which state policy frameworks promote or hinder the digitisation of teaching and learning from the perspective of five university management teams. It became clear that it is usually not the specific wording of certain regulations that poses a challenge for universities, but rather uncertainties in their practical implementation.

There are particular difficulties in interpreting data protection legislation and regulations on digital examinations.

Possible solutions are suggested:

  • Clear definitions and recommendations for action at state level to facilitate consistent implementation
  • Development of recommendations for the implementation of data protection and copyright law with the involvement of experts
  • Use of discretionary powers of university management to create internal rules for the recognition of digital formats
  • Adapting examination regulations to digital teaching methods with clear guidelines
  • Systematic classification of digital teaching formats and consideration of teaching obligations
  • Cooperation between universities, e.g. through shared IT resources and data protection officers

Overall, it is clear that close cooperation and clear regulations at state and university level are essential to fully exploit the opportunities offered by digitalisation in higher education.

Strategy for the Meißen University of Applied Sciences (FH) and training centre

11 October 2024

The Meißen University of Applied Sciences and Training Centre (HSF Meißen for short) commissioned CHE Consult to develop a strategic concept. The assignment included the independent conceptualisation, support and moderation of the project as well as the creation of concrete implementation proposals.

HSF Meißen is an institution of the Free State of Saxony and prepares students for future tasks in public administration and the judiciary. HSF Meißen is also the central training centre for civil servants in Saxony. In view of current challenges and developments, a strategy process was initiated for the future of HSF Meißen as a central training and further education centre for the administration in Saxony. CHE Consult was commissioned to draw up a strategic concept for HSF Meißen.

In the first phase of the project, the CHE Consult team carried out a comprehensive analysis. It analysed the current position of HSF Meißen in the external environment and determined an ideal skills profile for employees in the Saxon administration in 2035. Following the presentation and discussion of the interim results, the team submitted a detailed interim report.

In the second phase of the project, CHE Consult developed strategic proposals for the further development of the study and training programmes at HSF Meißen. In doing so, the team formulated future-orientated options for action that took possible restrictions into account. Finally, CHE Consult presented the results and drew up the strategic concept. It contains 15 strategic recommendations for action and provides clear suggestions for their short, medium and long-term implementation. Both the members of the Rectorate and the Strategy Council were convinced by the concept and approved it unanimously. It now provides a solid basis for the future development of the institution.

‘CHE Consult’s practical and forward-looking recommendations for action are of great value for the further strategic orientation of our university and our further education centre,’ says Prof. Dr Samia Härtling, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Research at HSF Meißen. ‘CHE Consult’s experience-based, flexible and efficient way of working has consistently proven to be effective. This has enabled us to anticipate the next steps to be taken with our partners by mutual agreement.’

To develop the strategic recommendations for action, the CHE Consult team used various methods over the course of the project. These included data analysis using the specially developed data visualisation tool DaViT and the analysis of university competitors and non-university providers of further education and training in Saxony. In addition, a competency matrix was used, which is based on 52 individual competencies and includes numerous sources. In addition, the team conducted interviews with external experts, moderated workshops with teaching staff, employees, students and graduates of HSF Meißen and regularly liaised with the strategy advisory board and the project team.