The ‘Shaping Diversity’ audit organised by the Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft aims to encourage universities to rise to the associated challenges and to help them develop and implement diversity strategies. The internal audit process consists of five in-house workshops, which are facilitated and supported by external, independent auditors with specialist expertise. Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences is also taking part in the audit and is already well advanced in its process.
On 23 October 2017, the mentors and other interested parties from Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences met for the final workshop to finalise the report. This was preceded by intensive periods of work involving experts and interested parties from all stakeholder groups. They all contributed to the development and formulation of ideas relating to diversity at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The value placed on diversity is already structurally embedded in various parts of the university’s strategy. Taking into account the initial situation, the framework conditions, the university’s profile and its strategy, tools and outlines for measures were developed for the areas relating to the dimensions of internationality and educational background.
Since its foundation, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences has offered the majority of its degree programmes in English. The proportion of international students currently stands at over 45 per cent. In practice, this facilitates a wide range of perspectives, knowledge and experiences. The resulting diversity and tolerance represent an enhancement in quality. Similarly, the aim pursued when the university was founded – to attract non-academic groups from the local area to higher education – is to be continued. Professor Georg Hauck, Vice-President for Human Resources and Organisational Development, Diversity, comments: “The ‘Shaping Diversity’ audit, carried out in parallel with the development of our university development plan, was an ideal opportunity to develop and test targeted measures for implementing our diversity strategy. In future, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences will continue to make every effort to remain as vibrant and diverse as it is today.” As a “reward”, the university is set to receive the “Shaping Diversity” certificate from the Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft in Berlin next February.
