A with an asterisk for Mechanical Engineering

Dean Professor Bernd Bellair is impressed. The bachelor’s, master’s, and diplom degree courses in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering—which include the two specializations “Mechanical Engineering” and “energy and environmental engineering”— have now been accredited or certified for seven years. There are two notable aspects to this: For the first time since the introduction of the quality review process at HSZG, this was done without any conditions attached. “Without conditions” means that the review panel did not identify any quality deficiencies. And for the first time, Diplom degree courses were also subjected to this review process.

Dr. Peggy Sommer, who is responsible for quality management in the Office of University development and communication, also sounds enthusiastic: “The faculty was extremely well-organized. The students involved in the review process were full of praise. Any operational issues that arise are resolved quickly. From the students’ perspective, there’s simply nothing to complain about. The atmosphere at the faculty seems harmonious, almost like a family.” So, from her perspective, it’s no surprise that the faculty handled the review so exceptionally well.

Ensuring Good Teaching

The accreditation or certification of degree programs is a quality assurance tool within the framework of quality management for studies and teaching at HSZG. All degree programs at HSZG are reviewed for quality every seven years. External experts are always involved in the process.

The external advisory board for this process consisted of Professors Dr.-Ing. Jens Morgenstern (HTW Dresden) and Dr. rer. nat. Kay-Uwe Kasch (Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin), as well as Ms. Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Isabell Schlick (Bombardier Transportation Görlitz, since January 2021 Alstom GmbH) as a representative of the professional field, and student Laura Zellermann (Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin).

The advisory board conducted a technical review by examining the comprehensive written descriptions of the degree programs and conducting an on-site visit. As part of this process, the reviewers met with program administrators, faculty, and students from the participating degree programs as early as November 2020. The advisory board prepared its report between December 2020 and February 2021.

With Highest Praise

Based on the Advisory Board’s report, the review jury granted accreditation or certification for seven years to the ten degree programs in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The review jury consists of the president, the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, and one representative from each of the six faculties at HSZG. The review jury reached its decision on April 14, 2021. To put it simply: an A+!

Professor Bernd Bellair is justifiably proud of the faculty's achievements.