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Concept for the State Office for Fire and Disaster Protection in Rhineland-Palatinate

21 March 2025

When the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior and Sport recognised the need to reorganise fire and disaster protection in the state, it commissioned CHE Consult to carry out the preliminary conceptual work. The aim was to develop a viable organisational structure for the new State Office for Fire and Disaster Protection (LfBK) that takes current and future challenges into account.

Jens Engelke, Principal Consultant, and Franziska Bröker, Consultant at CHE Consult at the time, began with an in-depth analysis of existing structures and processes. They worked closely with experts from the administration and specialist circles to determine the requirements for the new office. They conducted benchmark analyses to incorporate best practices from other institutions at national and international level and defined task clusters. These included strategic emergency planning, operational situation and crisis management as well as the infrastructural and technical equipment of the office. They identified the need for a modern situation centre that works around the clock and is closely networked with the integrated control centres and national and international partners as essential.

Based on the work carried out, the CHE Consult team produced a detailed report. In it, the consultants described clear options for the geographical distribution of the state office’s organisational units in order to ensure effective cooperation with the local authorities. They also defined specific space and infrastructure requirements up to 2030, including workplaces, accommodation, canteen space and specialised training facilities. In addition, they have recommended a gradual increase in personnel to continuously improve the performance of the office.

This well thought-out and scientifically sound work in 2023 enabled the creation of an efficient and forward-looking authority structure that enables smooth processes and optimised administration. The new state office was officially founded at the beginning of 2025 and is now well positioned to sustainably strengthen fire and disaster protection for the population of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Study on the link between digitalisation and sustainability at universities

17 March 2025

On behalf of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung, CHE Consult conducted the ‘Explorative Study on the Strategic Interlocking of Digitalisation and Sustainability’. It analyses how universities strategically link and implement both fields of transformation.

Based on expert interviews with university leaders, the authors Anna Gehlke and Dr Ingeborg Lasser investigated key questions:

Which organisational structures promote a sustainable digital transformation?
How can digitalisation and sustainability be integrated into teaching and learning?
Where do conflicting goals arise, e.g. between resource conservation and technological development?

The two senior consultants at CHE Consult have found that some universities are already focusing on twin transformation approaches in which digitalisation and sustainability are viewed as closely linked developments. This enables synergies, for example through the use of digital technologies to optimise resource consumption. Nevertheless, the study also revealed that many universities still face the challenge of coordinating both topics more closely, as they are often anchored in separate areas of responsibility.

The study offers a structured review of current strategies and shows how universities are strategically and operationally interlinking digitalisation and sustainability. It makes it clear that the linking of both topics is becoming increasingly important and that universities are developing individual solutions tailored to their framework conditions. The study thus makes an important contribution to the further development of sustainable digital university strategies.

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Feasibility study Vision Campus Corvey

12 February 2025

In April 2024, a feasibility study was commissioned as part of an interdisciplinary project to investigate the potential of the Corvey UNESCO World Heritage Site as an innovative campus with economic networking. Corvey gGmbH, the district of Höxter, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the city of Höxter, Sparkasse Höxter, TH OWL, Volksbank Brakel and Volksbank OWL financed the feasibility study. As one of the companies involved in the study, CHE Consult, together with rheform GmbH and Büro Bergmann GmbH, analysed key aspects such as university development, listed building use and the infrastructural and structural requirements.

The study revealed that structural restrictions as a result of monument protection and limited infrastructural connections pose considerable challenges for the location. In particular, realistic prospects for increasing student numbers and attracting further companies could not be confirmed.

Bernd Klöver, Managing Director of CHE Consult: ‘The forecasts for student numbers for both existing and potential new degree programmes are extremely low in some cases. This is mainly due to the low attractiveness of the location. This lack of attractiveness, especially the infrastructural connections, unfortunately also has an impact on the potential for a ‘Science2Business location’. The company survey and the individual interviews show that a sufficient number of companies cannot be guaranteed to settle here.’

The findings now provide a sound basis for the TH OWL and its project partners to discuss what a forward-looking utilisation concept in Höxter could look like. The location analysis shows how a careful examination of all relevant parameters can create a valuable basis for decision-making – an important prerequisite for sustainable development concepts in the university sector.

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An analysis of the Hamburg metropolis

03 February 2025

CHE Consult has conducted a study on Hamburg as a business location for the ‘Hamburg Vor Zur Welt’ initiative. It shows that Hamburg often performs worse in key areas compared to other European metropolitan regions.

According to our study, the Port of Hamburg is recording declining handling figures and investment in research and development is lagging behind other metropolitan regions. The proportion of STEM subjects at Hamburg’s universities is also relatively low and the gross value added per inhabitant is lower. Overall, the importance of Hamburg as a business location has declined in many rankings.

The new initiative is now calling on Hamburg to utilise its potential and redefine the city as a leading centre for science, innovation and business. The following recommendations for action can be derived from our study:

Promotion of research and development: Investment in research and development must be significantly increased in order to boost productivity.
Establishment and promotion of new economic clusters: The establishment of new research and productivity-intensive companies should be promoted.
Improving the transfer of knowledge: The transfer of knowledge between public research and companies must be improved.
Strengthening start-ups: The framework conditions for start-ups must be improved in order to promote start-up activity.
Expansion of universities: Universities, especially the Hamburg-Harburg University of Technology, must be expanded in order to strengthen the knowledge base and secure future skilled labour.
Internationalisation of universities: The internationalisation of universities must be driven forward in order to make the city more attractive for international students and academics*.
Improving the quality of life: The quality of life in the city must be improved by investing in education, reorganising administration and securing affordable housing.
Expanding the transport infrastructure: The transport infrastructure must be improved in order to better connect the city to the rest of the world.

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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.

Team coaching workshop for a Rectorate Commission

30 September 2024

A university in Saxony commissioned CHE Consult to improve communication and cooperation within a rectorate committee. Jens Engelke, Principal Consultant at CHE Consult, carried out an analysis and targeted team coaching measures with the aim of optimising the dynamics within the group in the long term.

The first step was to coordinate the assignment in order to clarify the exact requirements and expectations of the university. A structured questionnaire was then developed and used as the basis for individual interviews with the eight members of the committee. These interviews were crucial in capturing the individual perspectives and challenges of the members and in identifying potential areas of conflict.

Based on the results of the interviews, CHE Consult designed a team coaching workshop that specifically addressed the identified communication and cooperation difficulties. In a feedback session at the end of the workshop, the commission members reported that several agreements had been reached that would significantly improve not only cooperation but also communication within the team in the future. The jointly developed measures also helped to identify concrete starting points for the creation of a common self-image with regard to the role of the commission in the definition of training objectives.

Study highlights universities’ pain points

25 September 2024

In August 2024, the Stifterverband and the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation published an exploratory study on innovative future models in the global education system and their transferability to German universities. The starting point of the study was the conviction that universities are also affected by social upheaval and must adapt accordingly in order to remain fit for the future. The study identified four pain points, which we also encounter time and again in our project work with universities. Accordingly, we at CHE Consult support universities in the further development of their specific strategies and measures in order to position themselves sustainably in an increasingly dynamic educational environment.

In principle, the entire cascade from the university vision to the mission statement to the strategic and operational objectives should be considered in the project work. However, we are aware that universities generally do not want to develop the entire set of strategic instruments in an innovative way, but rather focus on selected components. Accordingly, we are concentrating on the requirements that generate the greatest added value for the universities.

The pain points identified in the study are as follows:

1. Insufficient access and integration of underrepresented student groups

We know from our work for many universities that the number of applicants for certain courses and/or faculties or departments is below target. At this point, there is often a discussion about whether the existing target groups for the programmes need to be widened, whether by underrepresented international or domestic students.

In this context, for example, we analyse existing admissions procedures and develop recommendations for action to increase demand for programmes and improve equal opportunities for prospective students from different cultural and social backgrounds. We also work with universities to develop student support programmes to reduce dropout rates and ensure long-term academic success. In this context, internal and external university stakeholders are raising the issue of an appropriate digitalisation strategy to enable students with less of an initial affinity for education to make the transition to a degree programme in line with their resources.

2. Lack of dynamism in adapting learning content to changing competence requirements

A number of studies in recent years have focused on so-called ‘future skills’. These apply at different levels, in particular to the whole ‘university’ organisation, to teachers, but also to students. Although the module handbooks for programmes list the intended competence objectives for each module, in practice they are updated relatively infrequently. In the case of programme accreditation, updates in this respect are often made only as part of the preparation for the next accreditation cycle. The situation is similar for the updating of teaching/learning content. At least in programmes with a high degree of innovation, such adjustments should be made more frequently than the intervals specified in the accreditation.

In this context, we support higher education institutions in analysing competences (future skills) that are of particular relevance to programmes or modules. In this context, it is useful to consider the current skill requirements of students and future graduates in relation to labour market expectations. Finally, we support universities in developing a flexible and cost-effective approach to the integration of the necessary competences, tailored to the current and future needs of industry and society – i.e. future employers.

3. Lack of innovation in the design of learning experiences

It is well known that the ‘classic’ lecture is by no means the most appropriate form of learning. This is all the more true when complementary or alternative forms of learning are lacking or limited. Theoretical knowledge is important, but it is only the basis for being able to apply this knowledge in a practical way. The creation of direct individual learning experiences is now part of the requirement profile of programmes that are considered attractive from a student perspective. The keywords here are project modules, project studies and a practice-oriented form of blended learning. This also raises the question of the future role of lecturers. In summary, it can be assumed that the mere role of knowledge mediator is not sufficient to provide students with the so-called future skills. Some universities are therefore developing further and increasingly organising teaching activities as coaching to accompany learning, which is supported by students in higher semesters.

In this context, we evaluate existing teaching/learning methods – in consultation with the universities – and make recommendations for their further development in order to adapt the students’ learning environment to the times and to prepare them even better for future skill requirements.

4. Insufficient structural and institutional agility

In its coordination and decision-making processes, the ‘university’ organisation is characterised by the interaction of numerous committees. This has various advantages, but also the disadvantage of insufficient flexibility. For example, the question arises as to which powers can be transferred to decentralised organisational units in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity without jeopardising the primacy of the Senate and the Rectorate or the Presidential Board. Universities wishing to be more flexible and agile may find themselves in a conflict of objectives, which requires a delicate balancing act – often with external university support.

To this end, we work closely with universities to analyse institutional structures and processes in terms of their flexibility and agility, and to develop measures to accelerate decision-making processes in line with the university’s needs and to promote anticipatory responsiveness.

Do you want to work on your pain points and position your university even better for the future? Let us help you.

Facilitating a strategy retreat

23 September 2024

CHE Consult supported the University of Rostock in the planning and implementation of a ‘strategy retreat’ with the Rectorate, members of the Academic Senate and the heads of the faculties and institutions. The aim of the retreat was to jointly develop and finalise the university’s strategy.

The success of the project was based on intensive preparation. In three coordination meetings, including an in-depth discussion with all members of the rectorate, the initial situation was analysed, objectives and contents were defined and potential challenges were identified. On this basis, the CHE Consult team developed a precise agenda for the retreat and defined the methodological approach for the planned workshops.

During the on-site retreat, the CHE Consult consultants moderated the retreat kick-off, the workshops and the subsequent summary of the results in plenary. In the workshops on ‘Overarching Strategy’, ‘Research’, ‘Study and Teaching’, ‘Transfer’ and ‘Academic Support’, the participants discussed and developed key aspects of the university’s strategy. The facilitators supported them in modifying the existing strategy paper and contributing valuable new ideas.

As a result of the detailed preparation and structured facilitation, the retreat participants were able to produce a revised strategy paper, which is now nearing completion and will significantly shape the future direction of the university.

Management guidelines for Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz

23 August 2024

CHE Consult supported Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz in the development of a leadership guideline. Based on a comprehensive personnel development concept, the aim was to significantly improve the leadership style and culture at the university. The focus was on increasing employee satisfaction and identification as well as reducing staff turnover.

The project began with a kick-off meeting to clearly define the university’s expectations and requirements. Jens Engelke, Principal Consultant at CHE Consult, then facilitated an online workshop with a university working group to identify key topics and preferences for the guideline. These included trusting cooperation, respectful communication, decision making, goal achievement and the professional and personal development of university staff.

Based on these findings, the CHE Consult team developed a detailed draft of the leadership guideline together with stakeholders from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. It was presented, discussed and finalised by the working group in a face-to-face workshop.

Uta Ebertz from the FH-Personal project draws a positive conclusion: ‘The collaboration with CHE Consult was very productive and led to a guideline for the HSZG that was agreed in the working group formed for this purpose. This now forms the solid basis for a sustainable anchoring of our management culture.’