Double Class Cohort

  Peter Winandy

Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia are expecting a considerable boom for university spots in the state, at the latest for winter semester 2013/2014.

 

RWTH Aachen Growing and Adjusting – Future Students Are Very Much Welcome

The reasons for this are the military reform and the shortening of time spent at gymnasium, as well as the resulting double class cohort (G8). An additional 275000 students are expected at universities nationwide, estimates the Bundesagentur für Arbeit. At RWTH Aachen, an estimated 10% increase in the number of the entire study body is expected between 2011 and 2015. Within this time period, at least 3600 additional students in the STEM subjects (science, mathematics, technology, engineering) are expected. This is a cause for celebration, says Professor Aloys Krieg, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Learning at RWTH Aachen: "RWTH Aachen looks forward to uninterrupted popularity among prospective students."

   

RWTH Aachen Well Prepared

In order to ensure a excellent education, even among the increased number of students, RWTH Aachen established a G8 project staff in 2010 to coordinate various preparation measures. This is directly situated in the Vice-Rectorate for Teaching and Learning and with the Chancellor. At least half of the funds, 198 million Euros provided by arrangements through the Hochschulpakt II, are being used to increase staff capacity. Current plans include creating more than 400 new positions. The so-called co-professorships are being reinforced and the age limitation raised.

Numerous building projects will take place until 2010. By winter semester 2013/2014, software to support planning will be implemented in order to optimally use the new lecture hall building and to attain optimized class schedules for lecturers and students. The advising and mentoring services for prospective students, parents, and schools are also being expanded. Finally, a concentrated campaign from the city of Aachen and the Aachen universities, involving students, was established at the beginning of 2011, in order to be the first to offer a comprehensive information program for the public in North Rhine-Westphalia. The focus of this collaboration is the Extraraum campaign, for mobilizing student living spaces in Aachen.

 

RWTH Aachen Also to Offer an Excellent Education in the Future

Within the growing number of students for the coming years, RWTH Aachen sees both an opportunity and a challenge. The goal has been set, that in the future, an education should be offered that it just as good as that which as been offered until now.