The dual-track version of the degree programme, which has been redesigned in collaboration with the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, will commence lectures for the first time in the 2020/2021 winter semester.
Studying whilst undertaking a vocational training programme with the State of North Rhine-Westphalia – this is made possible in the 2020/2021 winter semester by an additional dual-track option on the Administrative Informatics – E-Government degree programme at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences, in cooperation with the Ministry for Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy. This new programme is aimed at IT pioneers who wish to rise to the challenges of the digital future. The state government’s aim is to attract IT specialists and retain them more effectively.
Lectures have now begun at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences for the first ‘Dualis’ students on the Administrative Informatics programme. During Freshers’ Week – the introductory week before lectures officially begin – Dr Timo Kahl, Professor of Business Informatics and Programme Director of Administrative Informatics – E-Government, welcomed more than 75 students during the virtual induction event. It was a very special day for the students, who have already begun their training in various state authorities. They are now not only ‘first-years’ at university, but also pioneers in a new degree programme.
“We are delighted that, following years of successful cooperation with the state administration in various fields, we can now better meet the demand for skilled professionals with this dual-track version of the degree programme. At our university, students acquire comprehensive technical and specialist knowledge, along with the relevant methodological skills, enabling them to translate the requirements of specialist administrative procedures into practical and user-friendly IT systems,” explains Professor Kahl.
The university president, Dr Oliver Locker-Grütjen, emphasises the significance of the dual degree programme, not only for the new students: “Particularly during the current coronavirus pandemic, it has become abundantly clear that a functioning digital public administration requires qualified IT specialists. That is why this partnership with the State of North Rhine-Westphalia is so important to us and should also be extended to local authorities in future.”
The dual study programme comprises eight semesters, including the work placements, i.e. four years. The future civil servants receive remuneration throughout their studies and begin their careers in career group 2, at the first entry-level post, within the technical administrative IT service of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
“The partnership with the State of North Rhine-Westphalia enables us, as a university of applied sciences, to train young people in a practical and forward-looking manner as administrative IT specialists for the state authorities. The excellent facilities at our faculty provide the ideal conditions for this,” emphasises Prof. Dr Schürholz, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Environment. “This also means that the faculty at the Kamp-Lintfort campus will continue to grow, as we expect around 100 additional students each winter semester,” Prof. Schürholz continues. New premises in the listed buildings on the site of the neighbouring former Friedrich-Heinrich colliery are already being considered.
