In-depth expertise, a broad knowledge base, and diverse research activities: A scientifically grounded academic education in the health, healing, and nursing professions offers numerous advantages. Against this backdrop, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU), with its Department Medicine, and the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM), with its Department Health, are establishing a joint center for health, healing, and nursing professions in Giessen . JLU President Prof. Dr. Katharina Lorenz and THMPresident Prof. Dr. Matthias Willems signed a cooperation agreement to this effect at JLU on May 21, 2024.
Both Giessen universities can build on positive experiences: Since the winter semester of 2022/23, THM(leading institution) and JLU have been cooperating to offer the dual Bachelor's degree programme in Midwifery Science, which ensures a high practical component and leads to the academic degree of Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). The main practical partner is the University Hospital Giessen -Marburg GmbH (UKGM) at the Giessen location. The programme was established with financial support from the State of Hesse.
This successful collaboration in the healthcare sector will be continued and expanded at the joint Center for Health, Medical, and Nursing Professions. JLU and THM are currently exploring which areas of nursing can be developed for further joint Degree Courses in the future. As a cross-university institution, the center provides the institutional framework for designing new Degree Courses in the health, medical, and nursing professions. It also aims to promote subject-specific teaching and research activities and anchor them in Giessen as a center of science and technology.
JLU President Prof. Dr. Katharina Lorenz explained: "With the new center, the University Giessen and the THM can jointly design new, practice-oriented Degree Courses in the field of health, medical, and nursing professions. With this expanded range of courses, we are responding to changing societal demands and opening up promising prospects for young people interested in health, medical, and nursing professions. The academicization of training in this sector is also a way to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the field of nursing and the healthcare system."
THMPresident Prof. Dr. Matthias Willems emphasized the importance of the cooperation: “We are pleased that we are further expanding our very good and trusting cooperation in the health sector. The different strengths and profiles of the partners complement each other optimally for the benefit of the region.”
The deans of the Department involved were also presented when signing the agreement to establish the Center for Health, Healing and Nursing Professions in the University of the University. Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Weidner was pleased for the Department of Medicine of the JLU about "this important step on the way to starting the center". He emphasized: "Now a good basis has been created that we will bring our broad expertise into other Degree Courses in the future and the academization of care and health professions at the medical location in Mittelhessen. How well the cooperation with our partners THM and UKGM works show the positive experiences from our joint new study course."
Prof. Dr. Keywan Sohrabi added to the Department of Health at the Department of the THM: “Our Department sees itself as a melting pot for multidisciplinary knowledge and cross -sector cross -sector cooperations, which means that we develop innovative solutions for complex challenges in healthcare. Our expertise in digitization enables us to design the interfaces between technology, medicine and care so that they can be designed for one Pave future -oriented, efficient patient care. "
Legal requirement
The center for health, healing and nursing professions is scheduled to begin work on June 1, 2024. Financing comes from budget funds, half of which are allocated to the center by the executive boards of both universities. The prerequisite for the implementation of such a cross-university center - a facility according to Section 53 of the Hessian Higher Education Act (HessHG) - is an agreement between the participating universities, which has now been sealed with the signatures of JLU President Prof. Lorenz and THMPresident Prof. Willems . The respective senate of JLU and THM as well as the executive boards of both universities had previously approved the planned agreement.
The new Nursing Studies Strengthening Act (PflStudStG) – "Act to Strengthen University Nursing Education, to Facilitate the Recognition of Foreign Nursing Qualifications, and to Amend Other Regulations" – which came into force on December 16, 2023, created the legal basis for the two Giessen universities to delve deeper into the planning for the new center. An important prerequisite for all involved was that financial compensation for nursing students was guaranteed for the entire duration of their studies and that their practical training was also financially covered.
Additional Information:
https://www.thm.de/ges/studium/sie-wollen-studieren/hebammenforschung-b-sc
https://www.uni-giessen.de/de/studium/studienangebot/bachelor/hebammenforschung