DHBW

Who are we?

Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg – DHBW) is the first higher education institution in Germany to integrate academic studies with workplace training within the curriculum. This means that students regularly switch, every three months, from their academic studies at the university to practical training at their partner company. The DHBW Heilbronn is the latest location of the State University System. The organization structure of DHBW is unique in Germany for it comprises both the central (DHBW headquarters in Stuttgart) and the local level (9 DHBW locations and 3 campuses). With around 34,000 enrolled students, over 9,000 partner companies and more than 125,000 graduates, DHBW counts as one of the largest HE institutions in the German Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg. All degree programmes are both nationally and internationally accredited, count as intensive study programs and are worth 210 ECTS credits. In addition, DHBW offers career-integrated postgraduate study programmes at their Center for Advanced Studies.

DHBW was granted the legal status of a university in 2009. But it traces its roots back to the University of Cooperative Education BA BW (“Berufsakademie Baden-Württemberg”) founded in 1974. More than 40 years ago, this model was initiated by renowned companies as Robert Bosch, Daimler-Benz and SEL. Therefore the success of the DHBW started with lifting up Vocational Education and Training to Higher Education. In 2009 the federal state granted Berufsakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg the legal status of a university and can since grant academic degrees.

Why we are participating in the project

Due to its HVET experience, the DHBW focuses on the development of innovative quality concepts by working with leading industry partners showing a strong commitment towards educational innovation. The construct of the dual education collaboration of the DHBW and their partner companies ensures continuous feedback and engagement by key industry stakeholders in Germany and especially in Baden-Wuerttemberg. The German Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg is one of the leading economic regions across Europe. Home to internationally renowned corporations and thousands of successful SME´s, it is known for its innovative drive and inventive spirit, as well as for a high level of productivity and low unemployment rate.

Our role in the project

Our role is:

  • running the project Apprenticeship Q
  • to report to the BiBB (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (National Agency)) the development and finalization of Apprenticeship Q.
  • to lead the Output 1,2,4 and 5 to develop a handbook with quality criteria for SME and institutions
  • to disseminate the progress of ApprenticeshipQ regionally and nationally

Our Team

Current team

Naïla Wagner

Naïla Wagner

Research Associate

Since March 2017, Naïla has been working as a research associate at the Cooperative State University in Heilbronn (DHBW). There, she has been involved in various projects, such as BEEHiVES, ApprenticeshipQ or LaTFURE and has been teaching lectures in business psychology and market research. Before coming to Heilbronn, Naïla completed her Master of Science at the University of Portsmouth and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the SRH University of Applied Science in Berlin.

 Svenja Wiechmann

Svenja Wiechmann

Research Associate

Svenja holds a BA degree in social sciences and an MA degree in Empirical Political and Social Research from the University of Stuttgart. Before her employment at the DHBW Heilbronn, she gained experience in national project work at the DHBW in Stuttgart. In Heilbronn, she was involved in the creation of the Learning Passport in the OEPass project and accompanied the creation of the Credentials Clearinghouse in the MicroHE project.

Monika Wilke

Monika Wilke

PA to the Head of research and laboratories

Monika holds a degree in business administration from Friedrich Alexander University in Nuremberg and has been working as PA to the Head of research and laboratories at the Cooperative State University Heilbronn (DHBW) since June 2016. She supports numerous research projects at the administrative level such as BEEHiVES, LaTFURE and ApprenticeshipQ.

Günter Käßer-Pawelka

Günter Käßer-Pawelka

Dean of Business Administration in Services Management at the DHBW Heilbronn

Günter has been working as a Professor for the DHBW since 1989 at different positions and location. Other priorities were initiation and development of the alumni organization of the DHBW Stuttgart and the establishment of a teaching and research center for applied research with a focus on apparatus and qualitative market research. In addition, he has already committed for many years to the Marketing Club Heilbronn for the region Heilbronn-Franken, since 2007 as its President.

Ulf-Daniel Ehlers

Ulf-Daniel Ehlers

Professor of Economics

Ulf was the Vice-President of the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) in Stuttgart (Germany) until June 2017 and responsible for Quality and Academic Affairs in the Board of the university. He has been appointed Professor for Educational Management and Lifelong Learning at the same university. In 2016 he has been elected to the Board of EURASHE and subsequently appointed Vice-President of EURASHE. Ulf Ehlers has extensive experience in helping individuals and organisations to achieve outstanding learning achievements. He has been advising a number of ministries on educational policy throughout Europe and supported numerous international organisations in their educational initiatives and policies. He has held positions as Associate Professor in the University of Duisburg-Essen, Professor for Technology Enhanced Learning in the University Augsburg (Germany), and Associate Professor of the Graduate School for Management and Technology of the University of Maryland University College (USA). Ulf Ehlersis an educational scientist and holds degrees in English Language, Social Sciences and Educational Sciences from the University of Bielefeld (Germany), where he finished his Ph.D. with honours in the field of Technology Enhanced Learning in 2003, and was awarded his Professor grade (‘Habilitation’) in 2008 from the University of Duisburg-Essen (Germany). He has created many international, European and national projects and has been President of the European Foundation for Quality in E-Learning, President of the Society for Media in Science as well as serving on advisory board to several professional associations in the field.

Former team members

Anna Frankenberg

Anna Frankenberg

Research Assistant and Lecturer

Anna has been working as a scientific research manager at the Cooperative State University Heilbronn (DHBW) since October 2014. She has been teaching (Bachelor & Master) and research experience from her time at the University of Applied Sciences Worms and being a teacher in a Secondary School in Uganda. National and international project management experiences have been gained through business projects at SAP AG, major event management as well as research projects such as BEEHiVES, ApprenticeshipQ, OEI2. Her research focus is on cooperative education systems, higher education, and higher vocational education & training.

Raimund Hudak

Raimund Hudak

Head of Research and Laboratories

Raimund is a senior lecturer and researcher with around 15 years of experience at leading academic institutions and has been involved in various research programmes in Germany and abroad. He is the Project Manager at the Cooperative State University Baden-Wuerttemberg Heilbronn in the European-wide research projects such as HAPHE, BEEHiVES, MicroHE and ApprenticeshipQ. With his involvement in managerial and leadership positions in among others TEMIC Semiconductor, Trumpf and Fairchild-Convac, he directed among others new market strategies, customer service and total quality communications processes, he designed and implemented strategic business plans and managed vital partnerships and new venture start-ups. With experience in Japan and other Asian countries, Raimund Hudak is an expert in Asian market analysis and supply-chain management. Raimund Hudak holds an MBA in Business and International Marketing from the Institute for Technology and Commerce in Reutlingen.