History of RWTH Aachen University and the School of Business and Economics
Innovation Coupled with Tradition
Thanks to its superb scientific and academic achievements, RWTH Aachen University, Germany, enjoys a great reputation for excellence the world over. The University is located within the so-called three-country triangle of Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Its key features are an innovative and international approach combined with a strong awareness of responsibility to others and rounded off with success in developments. Established in 1870 with the grand name of Königliche rheinisch-westfälische Polytechnische Schule zu Aachen, RWTH Aachen proudly continues to build on its 142-year long tradition – a tradition which not only represents a solid scientific and academic foundation but also a commitment to the future: Maximum quality combined with a professional and international focus is part of the characteristic approach of research and teaching at RWTH Aachen University.
On 10 October 1870, the academic staff consisted of 32 professors, who were teaching 223 students. Nowadays, RWTH Aachen University comprises more than 430 professors, who are teaching about 33,000 students in over100 study programs. These programms embrace practically all the disciplines of a traditional university. A large number of institutes, chairs, research departments and central facilities are all demonstrably geared towards the provision of interdisciplinary, application-oriented services.
The interlinks between academe and the industry are many and varied: RWTH Aachen University is a significant economic factor, attracting both small as well as large and well-known companies to the region. The University itself is an attractive employer for people who live in and around Aachen.
When the 9 German winners of the 'Initiative for Excellence' competition were announced in October 2007, RWTH Aachen University was proud to be amongst them, with its concept for the future entitled 'RWTH 2020- Meeting Global Challenges'. This concept will ensure that RWTH remains highly competitive in the national and international academic arena.
A Key Player Right from the Start: The School of Business and Economics
Right from the onset of RWTH Aachen University’s teaching and research activities, the Economic and Business Sciences have always played a special role. Back in 1870, a Chair of National Economics and Commerce was established. Due to the increasingly closer interplay of technology and economics, further Chairs were established, such as Business Administration (1961), Statistics and Business Mathematics (1962), International Technical Cooperation (1963) and Operations Research (1967).
In 1985, the independent School of Business and Economics was created.