Accreditation by the German Council of Science and Humanities "ZU has achieved something impressive"
On February 2, 2009 the German Council of Science and Humanities granted the institutional accreditation to Zeppelin University (ZU) after a process of slightly less than two years. Thus, ZU receives the highest seal of quality in the German university scene and is the first private university in southern Germany that has been successfully accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities.
"An innovative approach clearly sets it apart from the existing offers of other universities"
"ZU, founded in 2003, has undergone a very impressive development", Professor Peter Strohschneider, chairman of the German Council of Science and Humanities explains. ZU with its mission statement as a "research-oriented private university" has set itself the goal "to achieve a theory-based and at the same time systematic, professional-oriented education of 'generalists' with a multidisciplinary perspective bridging business, culture and politics" using its broad range of program offers. In the eyes of the German Council of Science and Humanities, this innovative approach clearly sets ZU apart from the existing offers of other universities. "The mission statement of ZU is very ambitious, yet, based on the performance up to now – especially regarding the fact that it has existed for not even five years – it can be realised" Strohschneider says.
Strong Research and long-term Financing
According to the German Council of Science and Humanities, it must be emphasized that ZU "has not only worked on the design and implementation of the programs but has also taken numerous initiatives to strengthen its research activities". The growth of the chairs and the research instiututes was emphasised especially. For the 700 students enrolled this year the number of full-time professors will be increased from 19.5 at the moment to 28.5. The German Council of Science and Humanities positively highlighted – especially in times of a crisis in the financial markets and the resulting problems for private universities – the long-term financial hedging of the foundation-supported university.
Expansion of the PhD Program
The German Council of Science and Humanities also sees ZU on the right path regarding the intended independent right to award doctorates which is granted by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The committee recommends that ZU expands the existing PhD program. "Overall, considering the relatively early stage in the founding process, the research activities of the university are already impressive". This is the assessment of the German Council of Science and Humanities. In the last five years, 42 PhD programs have been carried out – more than 25 research assistants of ZU are at present finishing up their PhD or post-doctoral qualifications. These programs are currently completed in cooperation with state universities. According to the German Council of Science and Humanities, the state of Baden-Württemberg has already indicated that it will support ZU in its efforts. "ZU has achieved something impressive" is the conclusion of the German Council of Science and Humanities.
Achievements of an Outstanding Team
"On the one hand, the positive accreditation of ZU as a research-oriented private university after only five years is an encouragement for the consistent further development of the university’s innovations by following classic ideals of education and research". This is how ZU President Professor Stephan A. Jansen expresses his joy about the decision of the German Council of Science and Humanities. "On the other hand, it is a sign of appreciation for all who have made this possible: an enthusiastic founding team in administration, pioneering students, fascinating scholars and many patrons, especially in research." It is the achievement "of an outstanding team of currently 600 students, meanwhile 650 alumni, more than 200 staff members and lecturers who are happy about this accreditation", Jansen says.
THE BACKGROUND
The German Council of Science and Humanities The Wissenschaftsrat (German Council of Science and Humanities) is an advisory body to the Federal Government and the state governments. Its function is to draw up recommendations on the development of science, of research and of the university sector as well as to contribute to the safeguarding of the international competitiveness of German science and humanities in the national and European system. In its accreditation process the German Council of Science and Humanities examines whether universities are capable of achieving a performance in teaching and research that meets accepted scientific standards. This constitutes a process of quality control and aims at creating transparency and comparability of educational offers.
The Accreditation Process ZU has aimed for the accreditation process to extend the state accreditation already ahead of time. The required documents were submitted in September 2007 to the Ministry of Science of Baden-Württemberg which in turn officially started the process in January 2008. In March 2008 the German Council of Science and Humanities confirmed the acceptance of the process, in September 2008 a committee of the German Council of Science and Humanities inspected ZU on site. The decision on the accreditation for five years was published on February 2, 2009.
