Greetings from the Director
Dear Reader,
The Centre for Higher Education (zhb) is a unique institution in the German Higher Education System that combines research and service in one university center. In addition to the three professorships, there are five divisions that are closely linked to the research activities of the professorships. The zhb was founded in 2011 from the merger of several central academic institutions at TU Dortmund University, to which further divisions were added in 2013 and 2020.
The following research topics exist:
Prof. Dr. Liudvika Leišytė's Professorship of Higher Education conducts research on professional identity, academic entrepreneurship and higher education governance and management.
Prof. Dr. Jens Rowold's Professorship of Human Resource Development and Change Management conducts research on topics such as leadership and leadership styles, human resource development and organizational health.
Since October 2021, Prof. Dr. Johann Pongratz complements the zhb research portfolio with his professorship Complex IT Systems and Digital Infrastructures.
And at my Professorship of Organizational Studies and Management of Continuing Education, the topics of higher education research (including governance of teaching and continuing education) and organizational research (including knowledge transfer and special types of organizations) are dealt with.
The service is organized in the following five areas:
Division of Disability and Studies – DoBuS
DoBuS, under the direction of Dr Carsten Bender, is the oldest and certainly the most renowned division in the German Higher Education System that has developed and implemented concepts for the comprehensive support of impaired students (but also lecturers). The work of DoBuS has been awarded several prizes, including the Zero Project Award.
Division of Foreign Languages
All teaching in foreign languages at TU Dortmund University takes place in this area, which is headed by Dr Meni Syrou. Every year, almost 7,000 students study one of the 14 modern foreign languages offered here, German as a foreign language or Latin. Students can also learn German sign language or practice academic writing and presentation skills (for German and English) in a writing space.
Division of Academic Teaching & Faculty Development
In the area of university didactics, which is headed by Dr Katrin Stolz, the „Start in Teaching“ takes place for all new teachers. In addition to this classic introduction to the design of courses, a certificate course in higher education didactics is offered, as well as many other current events. In addition, the topics of digitalization of teaching and e-examinations have become very important and topical.
Division of Statistical Consulting and Analysis – SBAZ
Since 2020, the Division of Statistical Consulting and Analysis (SBAZ), headed by Dr Swetlana Herbrandt, has also been part of the zhb. All students and employees of TU Dortmund University can get statistical advice for their theses or projects here. Statistical support for projects is also offered for external clients.
Division of Continuing Education
All continuing education at TU Dortmund University is organized through this division under the direction of Dr Jörg Teichert. The content focuses on teacher and head teacher training (e.g. digital learning leadership), management training and additional qualifications in statistics (big data and data science).
In addition, the University Choir, directed by Heinke Kirzinger, also has its home at the zhb. Offers for personal voice training can also be found here.
During the merger process, we gave ourselves the following vision:
„We are proud to move the frontiers of higher education by practicing excellent research and services, embracing diversity and open-mindedness.“
We try to live this vision every day.
We would be pleased if you contact us directy if you have any questions.
Prof. Dr. Uwe Wilkesmann
Director zhb
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Location & approach
The campus of TU Dortmund University is located close to interstate junction Dortmund West, where the Sauerlandlinie A 45 (Frankfurt-Dortmund) crosses the Ruhrschnellweg B 1 / A 40. The best interstate exit to take from A 45 is “Dortmund-Eichlinghofen” (closer to South Campus), and from B 1 / A 40 “Dortmund-Dorstfeld” (closer to North Campus). Signs for the university are located at both exits. Also, there is a new exit before you pass over the B 1-bridge leading into Dortmund.
To get from North Campus to South Campus by car, there is the connection via Vogelpothsweg/Baroper Straße. We recommend you leave your car on one of the parking lots at North Campus and use the H-Bahn (suspended monorail system), which conveniently connects the two campuses.
TU Dortmund University has its own train station (“Dortmund Universität”). From there, suburban trains (S-Bahn) leave for Dortmund main station (“Dortmund Hauptbahnhof”) and Düsseldorf main station via the “Düsseldorf Airport Train Station” (take S-Bahn number 1, which leaves every 15 or 30 minutes). The university is easily reached from Bochum, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Duisburg.
You can also take the bus or subway train from Dortmund city to the university: From Dortmund main station, you can take any train bound for the Station “Stadtgarten”, usually lines U41, U45, U 47 and U49. At “Stadtgarten” you switch trains and get on line U42 towards “Hombruch”. Look out for the Station “An der Palmweide”. From the bus stop just across the road, busses bound for TU Dortmund University leave every ten minutes (445, 447 and 462). Another option is to take the subway routes U41, U45, U47 and U49 from Dortmund main station to the stop “Dortmund Kampstraße”. From there, take U43 or U44 to the stop “Dortmund Wittener Straße”. Switch to bus line 447 and get off at “Dortmund Universität S”.
The AirportExpress is a fast and convenient means of transport from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Dortmund Central Station, taking you there in little more than 20 minutes. From Dortmund Central Station, you can continue to the university campus by interurban railway (S-Bahn). A larger range of international flight connections is offered at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which is about 60 kilometres away and can be directly reached by S-Bahn from the university station.
The H-Bahn is one of the hallmarks of TU Dortmund University. There are two stations on North Campus. One (“Dortmund Universität S”) is directly located at the suburban train stop, which connects the university directly with the city of Dortmund and the rest of the Ruhr Area. Also from this station, there are connections to the “Technologiepark” and (via South Campus) Eichlinghofen. The other station is located at the dining hall at North Campus and offers a direct connection to South Campus every five minutes.
The facilities of TU Dortmund University are spread over two campuses, the larger Campus North and the smaller Campus South. Additionally, some areas of the university are located in the adjacent “Technologiepark”.
Site Map of TU Dortmund University (Second Page in English).