Successful start of the new dual E-Government programme at Rhine-Waal University

The dual-vocational variant of the programme, which has been developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, will begin lecturing in winter semester 2020/2021.

Professor Kahl, Head of the E-Government programme, presents the new dual-vocational variant.

Studying and completing an apprenticeship with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia at the same time is now made possible by an additional dual-vocational of the E-Government degree programme at the Rhine-Waal University in cooperation with the Ministry of Economics, Innovation, Digitisation and Energy. The new offer is aimed at IT pioneers who are committed to meeting the challenges of our digital future. With the new programme, the state government intends to attract and better retain IT specialists.

Lectures have now begun at Rhine-Waal University. During Freshers' Week, Dr Kahl, Professor of Business Informatics and Head of the programme, welcomed more than 75 students to the virtual introductory event. It was a very special day for the students, who have already started their training in various state authorities. They are now not only "Freshers" at a university, but also pioneers in a new curriculum.

"We are very pleased that, after years of successful cooperation with the state administration in various fields, we are now able to meet the demand for skilled personnel more effectively. With us, students acquire comprehensive technical and specialist knowledge as well as the corresponding methodological skills to transfer the requirements of specialised administrative procedures into usable and user-friendly IT systems," explains Professor Kahl.

The University President, Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, emphasises the importance of the programme, not only for new students: "Especially in times of corona, it is evident that a functioning digital state administration needs qualified IT specialists. This is why our cooperation with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia is so vital for us and should be extended to local authorities in the future".

The dual degree programme comprises eight semesters, i.e. four years, including practical phases and is aimed specifically at candidates for higher civil service positions in IT operations for public administration (in German: Laufbahngruppe 2, erstes Einstiegsamt, des technischen Verwaltungsinformatikdienstes).

"The cooperation with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia enables us to train young people in a practical and future-oriented manner. The excellent equipment of our faculty offers ideal conditions," emphasises Prof. Dr. Schürholz, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Environment. "This also means that the faculty in Kamp-Lintfort will continue to grow and can expect about 100 additional students each winter semester," continues Professor Schürholz. New premises on the site of the former Friedrich-Heinrich colliery are already being considered.

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Rhine-Waal University