The demands on the health and social care sectors are changing rapidly. Demographic change, skills shortages and new care structures call for well-trained professionals – and for universities that are constantly developing their educational programmes. A delegation from the AWO Lausitz District Association discussed how this can be achieved during their visit to Dresden University of Applied Sciences (FHD).
The guests were Managing Director Marcus Beier and Yves Tschentscher. Together with Prof. Dr Katharina Schober, Dr Kristina Barczik, Prof. Dr Marius Brade and the Rector of the FHD, Dr habil. Heike Zimmermann-Timm, they exchanged views on the future of academic education in the healthcare sector.
The focus was on hybrid degree programmes, flexible continuing education opportunities and alternative routes into higher education. The option to study without A-levels opens up new prospects for those with vocational qualifications and helps to attract and further train urgently needed skilled workers for the healthcare sector.
The discussions were deliberately held in a participatory format. Good student-tutor ratios, practice-oriented teaching and continuous exchange between academia and professional practice were highlighted as key prerequisites for future-proof education. A tour of the campus also provided an opportunity to get to know the university better.
“Today, more than ever, universities are called upon to evolve in tandem with society,” emphasised Rector Dr. habil. Heike Zimmermann-Timm. “We must identify needs and design our educational programmes in such a way that they reach people in different life situations. Only in this way can we train the skilled workers that our healthcare system urgently needs in the future.”