From 20 to 21 October 2022, the North Rhine-Westphalia Rectors’ Conference – comprising the rectors of the Universities of Applied Sciences (HAW) in North Rhine-Westphalia – met at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences for its annual conference.
During the two-day conference, the vice-chancellors exchanged views on current issues and developments in higher education policy. At this year’s conference, participants focused on issues relating to the world of work 4.0. Leadership development and leadership culture in the context of an increasingly digital working environment were discussed, as were alternative career models in management and specialist roles, as well as options for structuring collective bargaining agreements and organisational arrangements. There was also a lively exchange on issues of sustainability.
The vice-chancellors were inspired and expertly guided by a range of guest speakers. Among others, Professor Dr Uwe Kanning, a business psychologist at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, captivated the audience with his presentation on leadership recruitment.
Michael Strotkemper, Vice-Chancellor of Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, was delighted to welcome his colleagues to the Kleve campus for the second time since 2019: “The cooperative and constructive interaction between the universities fosters shared ideas, opens up scope for innovation and creates synergies for the benefit of the entire North Rhine-Westphalian higher education system. We are delighted that, as the host university for the conference, we were able to contribute to the success of this joint exchange.”
The governing bodies of higher education institutions in North Rhine-Westphalia have been working together in a spirit of trust for many years. The Conference of Chancellors of the HAW NRW (Chancellors’ Conference) is a voluntary association, established in 2001, comprising the chancellors and vice-presidents for financial and human resources management at universities of applied sciences, technical universities, church-affiliated universities and private universities in North Rhine-Westphalia.
