The new University Council of the Giessen University of Applied Sciences has begun its voluntary work. The body, which according to the Hessian Higher Education Act (HHG) is tasked with advising the university on its development, comprises seven individuals from business and academia.
The Hessian Minister for Science and Art appointed Prof. Dr. Jutta Rump, Prof. Dr. Gabriele Schade, Hans-Heinrich Bernhardt, and Gerhard Grandke as new members of the university presidium , following a proposal from the university's executive board. Returning to the council are Dr. Wulf Brämer, Head of Research and Development at Heraeus in Hanau; Wilfried Schmied, Regional President in Giessen ; and Walter Lochmann, who works in adult education.
Business economist Jutta Rump is Vice President and Equal Opportunities Officer at Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences. Her academic work focuses on issues such as demographic change, work-life balance, and the promotion of employability.
Gabriele Schade is a professor of media informatics and software engineering at the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences. The dean of studies for the Applied Computer Science programme has also been a member of the MDR Broadcasting Council since 1994.
Hans-Heinrich Bernhard completed his studies in business administration at the Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences after training as a bank clerk, specializing in accounting and IT/business organization. He has been a member of the board of directors of what is now Volksbank Mittelhessen since 2001.
Gerhard Grandke is the managing director of OFB Projektentwicklung GmbH, a Frankfurt-based company belonging to the Helaba real estate group. He was treasurer and mayor of the city of Offenbach from 1994 to 2006.
The term of office for members of the University Council is two years. Wulf Brämer is the chair, and Jutta Rump is his deputy. The Higher Education Act (HHG) grants the council the authority to make recommendations on a range of performance areas and fields of activity. These include university development planning, curriculum planning, and the establishment of research and teaching priorities. The council may also submit proposals regarding target agreements, administration and the use of funds, as well as the university's knowledge and technology transfer.