»What Does the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Look Like in 2030?« – Presidium Launches STEP 2030 Participation Process
In the 2023/2024 winter semester, the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar Presidium began an in-depth participatory exchange and included as many university members as possible to answer the central question of »What does the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar look like in 2030?«. In summer 2024, this process will ultimately result in the STEP 2030 (structure and development plan), which is to be submitted to the Thüringer Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft und Digitale Gesellschaft. The STEP defines the most important development tasks for the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
At the end of September, the five Presidium members, Prof. Peter Benz, Dr. Ulrike Kuch, Prof. Timon Rabczuk, Dr. Simon Frisch and Dr. Horst Henrici clearly stated in their kick-off programme the direction they want to take the university and what the focus should be in the upcoming weeks and months. The main intention is: To involve as many university members as possible.
The process began on 29 November 2023 with a town hall meeting open to the university public. The event was held in the Audimax, where Prof. Peter Benz and his fellow Presidium members presented and explained the complete process in detail. Everyone present in the Audimax, including those who had joined the meeting digitally, had the opportunity to provide feedback using an interactive digital comment tool. Participants readily took advantage of the tool, making hundreds of comments, likes and asking questions.
In December and January, the strategy will become more concrete and focus on four core topics. Each of the workshops organised by the University Strategic Development Office will provide a platform for 20 individuals from the university to contribute their opinions, ideas, values and expectations for the future of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Applications were open to all interested parties and five individuals from each member group (professors, academic employees, employees in technology and administration, students) were selected to take part in the workshops. In cases where too many applications were received, a digital lottery was used to select participants.
Overview of all Workshops:
15.12. Vision & Mission | with Peter Benz & Ulrike Kuch
19.12. Forschung – Kunst – Talente (research, art, talent) | with Timon Rabczuk & Peter Benz
12.01. Nachhaltigkeit & Transfer (sustainability and transfer) | with Ulrike Kuch & Peter Benz
15.01. Lehren & Lernen (teaching & learning) | with Simon Frisch & Peter Benz
Two of the four-hour long workshops have already taken place, and two will be completed in the new year. A series of images from the workshop on 15 December can be viewed in our photo gallery (Photos: Marit Haferkamp). The key questions addressed were: How and in what ways does Bauhaus-Universität Weimar exist in 2030?, What are the core values for its members?, What future reality are we striving for?
Workshop spaces are limited, but they are not the only way for university members to get involved with the development of the »Struktur- und Entwicklungsplan (STEP)« (structure and development plan) 2030.
Starting in January 2024, the university committees, including the Faculty Boards, the subcommittees of the Senate, the Senate, the University Council, University administration and services, and student and doctoral candidate representatives, will be regularly providing information and opening discussions and exchanges. In addition, we will be holding at least one more university town hall discussion to provide a more public forum as STEP develops. STEP 2023 is set to launch officially at the June session of the University Assembly.
If you wish to stay up-to-date on the STEP process and learn more about getting involved, be sure to subscribe to our STEP newsletter: https://veranstaltungen.uni-weimar.de/de/login. Make sure you select »Büro des Präsidenten« newsletter in your profile (Stammdaten -> Sonstiges -> Newsletter).
You can also use the »Conceptboard«, where all of the ideas from workshops are listed and where you can add your own comments: https://app.conceptboard.com/board/8rbn-xory-khqd-zk5x-xd5i
If you wish to get involved in a more personal way, send us an e-mail with your ideas and suggestions to wir[at]uni-weimar.de. All of the suggestions and ideas we receive will be read, evaluated and passed on to the committees or the eleven-member STEP editorial team (which is made up of equal representation), who will create a conclusive paper including all of the input received for further discussion.
The process will always be focussed on the key question, which ultimately concerns all university members: What does the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar look like in 2030?