Witten/Herdecke University

Witten/Herdecke University
Universität Witten-Herdecke
MottoZur Freiheit ermutigen – nach Wahrheit streben – soziale Verantwortung fördern
Motto in English
Encourage freedom – Strive for truth – Assume social responsibility
TypePrivate, state-recognized, non-profit
Established1982; 42 years ago (1982)
AffiliationGerman Rectors' Conference
Endowmentapprox. €38 million
PresidentMartin Butzlaff
Vice-presidentJan Peter Nonnenkamp
Administrative staff
554
Students2532
Location
Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten
, ,
Germany

51°27′08″N 7°21′25″E / 51.45222°N 7.35694°E / 51.45222; 7.35694
Websitewww.uni-wh.de
Main building of the Universität Witten/Herdecke

Witten/Herdecke University is a private, state-recognized, nonprofit university in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It was the first German private institution of higher education to receive accreditation as a "Universität",[1] a status recognizing the university's academic quality equivalent to state-run universities and granting the right to award bachelor's and master's degrees, doctorates, and the German Habilitation.

Its foundation and history has often been marked by controversial debates and significant difficulties to establish the new university in the German educational system. In 1995, Times Higher Education noted that the university was considered by some "an idealistic model for the future of German higher education and [by] others ... a carbuncle on the country's fiercely state-dominated university landscape".[2] Today Witten/Herdecke University has succeeded in being recognized as one of Germany's few private universities considered 'Humboldtian' and as a role model in terms of course structures, integration of practical and theoretical training and innovative approaches to payment of tuition fees.[3][4]

In 2019, about 2,500 students are enrolled at the Witten/Herdecke University, with a staff of 582, including faculty of 71 professors and 232 lecturers/researchers. About 100 PhD candidates receive a PhD degree each year from the graduate school.[5] There are also more master's students than bachelor's students, showing the university's strength in graduate education.[6] The university is currently enlarging its campus and increasing the number of students.

  1. ^ "Uni Witten/Herdecke". WiWo Studium (in German). Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Tuition fees make their mark". Times Higher Education. 17 February 1995. Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  3. ^ "GERMANY: Private universities – not-so Ivy League – University World News". Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  4. ^ "GERMANY: Eleventh-hour rescue package – University World News". Retrieved 22 July 2015.
  5. ^ "Die UW/H in Zahlen". Retrieved 5 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Short profile". Retrieved 8 March 2016.