Transition After Six Years in Office

It was an unusual start: they were elected to the Rectorate of TU Dortmund University in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. On 1 September 2020, they took office together with President Prof. Manfred Bayer. Six years later, their term of office is coming to an end. During this time, they initiated and guided important developments in the areas of Academic Affairs, Research, and Internationalization. “Working in the Rectorate demands not only a great deal of time but at times also considerable skill as a moderator. I thank my colleagues for all the effort they have invested for the good of the university,” said Prof. Manfred Bayer at the University Elective Assembly in June.

Prof. Wiebke Möhring, Professor of Online and Print Journalism, was in charge of Academic Affairs. The focal points of her term of office included the further development of digital teaching, the handling of artificial intelligence, and quality assurance in studies and teaching. System accreditation, for instance, was advanced; in force since 2023, it enables TU Dortmund University to accredit its own degree programs. Engagement with ChatGPT and other models was also taken up early: as early as May 2023, the University published a first set of guidelines on its use in teaching – making it one of the front-runners nationwide.

In the Vice Rectorate Research, Prof. Nele McElvany, Professor of Empirical Educational Research, provided important impetus for excellent research and knowledge transfer with the Research Strategy 2023–2027 and its participation process. From 2021 onward, the various phases of the Excellence Strategy also shaped the Vice Rectorate’s work. Further focal points were sustainable organizational development and quality management, for example through the establishment of research monitoring, central research data management, and regular surveys. Finally, new programs for research funding and for the support of Early Career Researchers were created, among them the TU Dortmund University Young Academy. Formats such as “TU Dortmund im Gespräch” (TU Dortmund University in Conversation) additionally strengthened interdisciplinary exchange.

Prof. Tessa Flatten, Professor of Technology Management, was the first Vice President for International Affairs to build up the Vice Rectorate as a stand-alone unit, and she developed TU Dortmund University’s internationalization strategy. The university strengthened and expanded its partnerships and its international presence, including in Eastern Europe and India. The number of English-language degree programs increased sixfold during her term of office to more than 20. TU Dortmund University also achieved important successes in international appointments, attracting top researchers from around the world, for example, to the joint Research Centers of the University Alliance Ruhr. The Welcome Services for international researchers – and for scholars at risk as well – were substantially expanded at TU Dortmund University.

Across divisional boundaries, the close cooperation within the University Alliance Ruhr shaped the past six years. Most recently, the Vice Presidents also worked intensively with Ruhr University Bochum on the application as Ruhr Innovation Lab to the Excellence Strategy.

New Rectorate as of September

With the end of the Vice Presidents’ six-year term of office, the Rectorate is being reconstituted. In the final two years of his current term of office, President Prof. Manfred Bayer will in future be supported by four Vice Presidents: Prof. Gerhard Schembecker remains responsible for Finance. Prof. Sabine Hornberg takes over Academy Affairs and Teaching, Prof. Maximiliane Wilkesmann the Vice Rectorate of Diversity and International Affairs. Prof. Petra Wiederkehr moves to the Vice Rectorate of Research and Academic Careers. Chancellor Markus Neuhaus’s term of office runs until 2032.