On the road to digital identity

Building on the recommendations from the peer-to-peer strategy consultation conducted by the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung and the resulting action plan developed by Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the participatory process to develop a strategy for digitization in academic studies and teaching is moving forward. The next step was the University for Future (UF4) workshop on developing a “digital identity” for our HSZG, to which Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Sophia Keil, in her role as Vice President for Education and International Affairs, extended an invitation on September 20, 2022.

The goal was to exchange views with representatives from the individual faculties, the HSZG support structures (Center for E-Learning, Office of Education and International Affairs, University Data Centre, etc.) and students to discuss the goals of digitizing studies and teaching at the HSZG as well as the challenges involved. The workshop was framed by expert input on digitization strategies from other universities and the importance of participatory processes for developing a digitization narrative, along with the resulting tasks for the entire institution. Special thanks go to Dr. Jannica Budde and the Higher Education Forum on Digitalization for supporting the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the diverse key areas of strategy development and for the significant perspectives provided in this context.

The workshop helped foster a shared understanding of how to structure digitalization initiatives. The focus is on improving student success and strengthening connections among the university’s own campuses as well as with national and international educational stakeholders. Digitalization must be understood as a cross-cutting theme that follows fundamental pedagogical principles.

This involves not only focusing on teaching methods (tools) and course content (for the digital workplace) but also fulfilling our mission to society to “promote digitalization and digital competencies.” Key areas of action include, in particular: digitalization in teaching, curriculum development, internal communication and staff development, as well as support structures and resources. In addition to the technical infrastructure, pedagogical aspects are of paramount importance! It is essential to involve all members of the university community in order to achieve the digital transformation. The workshop participants agreed that we are a campus-based university and intend to remain so. We use digitalization as a tool—for example, by incorporating digital elements to enable flexibility in terms of time and location in teaching where it is needed, to increase efficiency in academic administration, and to further expand the HSZG’s regional, national, and international reach. We want to prepare our students for the digital workplace.

Building on these findings, the Office of Education and International Affairs, together with the Center for E-Learning and representatives from the faculties and the University Data Centre, is developing recommendations for measures to promote digitalization in academic studies and teaching. Another U4F workshop on this topic is planned for the first quarter of 2023.

The university administration thanks all participants for their commitment to date and looks forward to their continued involvement in the process.