Dr. Golbs, it's great that you have time for us today. Can you briefly explain what makes the new cooperative degree course in Housing and Real Estate Management so special?

The course is already an excellent combination of intensive construction engineering, business management, legal and real estate management content. Thanks to the wide-ranging knowledge with specialization options, it offers a very good career start.

The dual study option provides both the partner companies and the students with the practical relevance and direct applicability of what they have learned. This gives the partner companies the opportunity to specialize students' skills directly in their company and establish long-term relationships.

Why is now the right time to offer this study model?

A well-trained and motivated workforce is always in demand and is particularly important for companies' future planning. Experience has shown that the combination of theoretical and applied practical training helps to find good employees in the long term, who are then fully integrated when they enter working life.

What does the _KIAdirekt model mean in concrete terms for students - how is the course organized?

The students are fully integrated into the course. In contrast to alternating models, they complete their practical time in the company during the semester break, in an entire practical semester and as part of the thesis semester. This model allows them to concentrate on their studies and practical work for longer periods of time, which also makes them more effective for the partner company.

What advantages does the model offer compared to traditional full-time study?

From my many years of experience with dual study options, it represents the future of qualified training. The parallel practical experience enables students to apply and assimilate the course material much better. Conversely, the practical application often has an "AHA effect" for what has been learned.

And what added value do you see for the practical companies?

On the one hand, the practical companies can orient motivated people specifically to their operational tasks and special features during their studies. Particularly in the case of elective modules, company-relevant subjects can be specifically selected. After four years, students graduate with a practice-integrated diploma.

With the HSZG as a partner university, there is also many years of teaching experience with full-time and dual students. The HSZG concludes cooperation agreements with the partner companies. In addition to the most important thing, namely a sound education, these also offer further training events for the companies.

There was recently an online kick-off event to find cooperation partners. How was the response?

A pleasing number of companies showed us their short and medium-term interest in the course, both at the kick-off event and in personal discussions. They want to incorporate dual training into their company.

Many of the listeners already had experience from practical semesters with students on the full-time degree course in Housing and Real Estate Management.

What requirements do you have for potential cooperation companies?

We would like to have a long-term and trusting cooperation in the sense of good training. We have no formal requirements for the companies. Due to the diverse content of the course, a wide range of companies are also addressed. I do not wish to limit these by listing them. Please visit our website for more information. But you are welcome to come and get to know us first.

You have the deputy professorship for law - which legal topics are particularly important for students on this course?

The course is very structured in this respect. Starting with the extensive basics of general and special law of obligations, students learn construction law, real estate law and finally tenancy and condominium law in the following semesters. I wouldn't attribute particular importance to any of them, as all areas of law build on each other and therefore provide a sound basis for application.

How does your subject area specifically flow into the practical phases?

Legal issues arise in companies on a daily basis, from general contract drafting to specific tenancy law issues in property management, for example. Students are able to subsume the facts under the relevant standards. This enables them to continue working in a well-founded manner and they are generally not dependent on further legal advice.

What do you wish for the first cohort of cooperative students?

That they settle in well to the life of studying and training and that they can use and implement all the advantages mentioned for themselves. In particular, I wish them a great time studying!

Who should prospective students contact if they would like to study the _KIAdirekt model?

Ms. Groß(kristin.gross@hszg.de) and I(ulrike.golbs(at)hszg.de) will be happy to help.

The interview was conducted by Kristin Groß.