Shaking Up Education at Europa-Universität: Collaborative Discussions Instead of Lectures at the University of Viadrina
Discussions at Viadrina University to Transform into Round Table Discussions Instead - Discourse shift from formal lectures to roundtable discussions at University of Viadrina
The Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) is undergoing a transformation due to a steady decrease in student enrollment. The university's top brass is also focusing on more contemporary teaching methods: The traditional lecture hall for lectures is set to be dismantled, and round tables are intended to foster a conference-like atmosphere instead. The university revealed this news in Frankfurt (Oder). The Viadrina is also exploring new degree programs and is not opposed to phasing out less popular offerings. A reform blueprint for the university on the border with Poland will be unveiled to the Ministry of Science by early July. In the winter semester 2018/19, there were approximately 6,500 students, with around 3,700 students currently enrolled. Student enrollment has also declined in other German university cities.
University President: Emphasis on Quality
Viadrina President Eduard Mühle commented on the reasons: "Perhaps we haven't tried hard enough." The university needs to boost its marketing efforts, and many young people in the business sector are opting for private universities, Mühle added. He believes that the declining student numbers can be an opportunity, allowing the university to focus more on quality.
The Viadrina maintains a strong focus on Eastern Europe, particularly its neighboring countries Poland and Ukraine.
Vice-President: Less Entertainment, More Dedication
The university expects its students to be more dedicated in the future. Lectures should not function as an "optional entertainment program," said the Viadrina's Vice-President for Teaching and Studies, Christoph Brömmelmeyer, who teaches business law himself. He is not a stand-up comedian and can't reel in students with sheer entertainment value. "I am not Jan Böhmermann."
The university aims to restore a "spirit of commitment" so that students attend essential lectures diligently. "Making a genuine effort with topics" is crucial, said Brömmelmeyer.
Modernizing Education: Good Teaching, Not Just Talk
The learning atmosphere will become more up-to-date: The Viadrina wants to move away from traditional frontal teaching, where the professor stands at the front, and students are seated in fixed rows facing them. "Effective teaching should be our trademark," said Brömmelmeyer. He prefers conference formats at round tables because they promote active participation.
New Business Administration Curriculum: Three Days at Uni, Two Days at Work
The Europa-Universität is also focusing on dual study programs, such as the "three days at uni, two days at employment" model. A business administration degree ("Business Taxation"), where students also work in tax consultancy firms, will kick off in the autumn semester, Viadrina Professor Christina Elschner announced.
New degree programs are also planned in the fields of digitalization, migration, and sustainability. The Viadrina hopes to offer the first ones as early as the winter semester 2026/27, the university leadership revealed.
According to the statistics office, there were a total of 48,133 students enrolled at the universities in Brandenburg in the summer semester 2024, which was a 1,726-student increase compared to the previous summer semester.
Registration
- Europa-Universität Viadrina
- Viadrina
- Students
- Frankfurt (Oder)
- Lecture
- Entertainment program
- Poland
Insights:
Participating in the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) suggests a commitment by the Europa-Universität Viadrina to exploring innovative teaching methods and educational strategies, such as round table discussions and dual study programs, as part of broader educational innovation efforts. This alliance focuses on fostering innovative approaches to research, teaching, and institutional progress across member institutions. The ERUA is part of the European Universities Initiative, which supports the European Education Area and the European Strategy for Universities.
- The Europa-Universität Viadrina, as part of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), is focusing on innovative teaching methods like round table discussions and dual study programs, as a commitment to educational reform, in line with the European Education Area and the European Strategy for Universities.
- The Viadrina is introducing a new business administration curriculum, where students will spend three days at the university and two days working in tax consultancy firms, demonstrating a shift towards vocational training that aims to bridge the gap between education and self-development, general news, and community policy, as well as serving the needs of the modern job market.
