Risk management

In 2014/2015, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences implemented a university-wide risk management system and has been continuously developing it ever since. The legal basis for this is Section 7(1) of the Saxon Higher Education Governance Ordinance in conjunction with the current grant agreement between the Saxon State Government and the state universities in Saxony (Part III/No. 3). As part of this process, the university-specific strategic and operational risks were initially identified based on a survey of the Rector’s Office and the heads of the university’s individual basic/structural units.

The university’s identified risks are summarized in the form of a risk inventory. They are regularly assessed by an internal university working group (Risk Management Working Group) and ranked using an evaluation matrix. The risk matrix categorizes the risks into three categories based on the level of action required (Category 1 = high risk, Category 2 = medium risk, Category 3 = low risk). All risks in Categories 1 and 2 are assigned risk management and control strategies as well as appropriate measures.

The results of the regular risk assessments are incorporated into an annual risk report, which constitutes a separate appendix to the management report and is thus part of the university’s annual financial statements in accordance with Section 12 of the Saxon Higher Education Act. Consequently, the risk report is reviewed and approved by the Rector’s Office and ultimately by the University Council. The annual financial statements, together with their appendices, are submitted to the State Ministry of Science and the Arts (SMWK) in accordance with Section 13 of the Saxon Higher Education Finance Ordinance.

The annual risk reports dating from 2014 onward are accessible to the university’s employees via the intranet .

The permanent integration of risk management at the university is ensured through responsibilities at both the central and decentralized levels.

• Christoph Matthias Duscha (Chancellor)
• Jenny König, M.Sc. (Finance and Project Management Division)
• Lutz Haberland, Diplom in Biophysics (Research Office)
• Dr. Peggy Sommer (Office of University development and communication/Quality Management Division)
• Markus Will, Diplom (FH) ( Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences)