University of Siegen
 University of Siegen  (University)   | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Formation | 1972 |
| Headquarters | North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany |
| Focuses on media research, as well as basic and application-oriented research in the field of sensor technology and nanosciences. | |
The University of Siegen (Universität Siegen) is a public research university located in Siegen, North Rhine-Westphalia and is part of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, a society of Germany's leading research universities.[1] The University was founded in 1972. 18,618 students were enrolled at the university as of the year 2017.
Contents
History
”Wiesenbauschule“
In 1853, Wiesenbauschule landscaping school was established, which soon gained a reputation outside of its local area. Here, landscaping and land improvements including irrigation techniques and the drainage of meadows were taught, so as to help enhance the yields from farmland. This was of particular importance in the Siegerland region because the high demand for charcoal for the regional ironworks meant that most areas were woodland. As a result, limited areas were suitable for cattle breeding, so that research into enhancing the yields from the limited amount of meadowland had to be researched.
Following World War Two, the school’s focus shifted towards civil engineering, and, in 1962, it was renamed Staatliche Ingenieurschule für Bauwesen (State School of Civil Engineering).
Precursor and foundation
The next academic facility to be set up in Siegen (formerly located at Weidenau/Hüttental) was the Pädagogische Hochschule Siegerland (Educational University Siegerland), established in 1964. In 1965, it became the Siegerland section of Pädagogische Hochschule Westfalen-Lippe (Educational University Westfalen-Lippe), which marked its transformation into a scientific university.
On 1 August 1972, the comprehensive university development act led to the setting up of a comprehensive university at Siegen/Hüttental, along with four other comprehensive universities in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Pädagogische Hochschule Siegerland and Siegen-Gummersbach University of Applied Sciences which had schools based at Siegen and Gummersbach merged to form the new Siegen comprehensive university. In 1980, Siegen comprehensive university was renamed Universität-Gesamthochschule (University-Comprehensive University). The Gummersbach location was transferred, on 1 June 1983, to Cologne University of Applied Sciences. Then, on 1 January 2003, the form of ”comprehensive university“ was abandoned, and the existing comprehensive universities became regular universities. Since then, the university has been called University of Siegen.
Current orientation
In 1996, the University/Comprehensive University of Siegen was the first German university to take part in the ”Institutional Quality Audit Programme” of the Conference of European Rectors (CRE) and went on to implement the auditors’ recommendations step-by-step. University of Siegen sees itself as a modern university with a focus on basic research, practical training and contributing towards structural change in the district of Siegen-Wittgenstein and adjacent regions.
In line with the political objectives which led to the establishment of comprehensive universities, the University of Siegen is a hallmark for democracy, equal opportunities, transparent professional and scientific education as well as an international outlook. The reform approach inherent to the comprehensive university was put into practice through integral programmes, such as the innovative integrated diploma programmes “Media planning, development and consultancy” and “German and European commercial law”.
Within the framework of the Bologna process, the University of Siegen implemented the Bachelor/Masters system early on, with the aim of completing the set-up of this model in all faculties during winter semester 2006–2007. The last remaining diploma programmes were actually transformed into Bachelor/Masters programmes during winter semester 2008–2009. This move enables students’ achievements to be comparable and drives the international orientation of programmes. In addition, modern language training with a focus on partnerships abroad is being introduced and enhanced.
The University of Siegen is increasingly committed to working with alumni and organizes alumni meetings at regular intervals.
Notable Alumni and Professors
- Rainer Albertz (born 1943), professor of protestant theology
- Ingo Baldermann (born 1929), professor of protestant theology
- Marcel Beyer (born 1965), writer
- Roger Blachnik (born 1936), professor of solid-state chemistry
- Uwe Boll (born 1965), director, producer and screenwriter
- Thomas Aage Herz (1938–1995), professor of sociology
- Georg Bollenbeck (1947–2010), professor of German studies and cultural studies
- Paul Breuer (born 1950), parliamentary defense policy spokesman for the Christian Democratic Union
- Ingo Broer (born 1943), professor of New Testament studies
- Wolfgang Dehen (born 1954), CEO of the Energy Sector of Siemens
- Rainer Geißler (born 1939), professor of sociology
- Peter Göbel (born 1969), German rally navigator, winner of the German Rally Championship in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
- Herbert Henzler (born 1941), former head of the German office of McKinsey & Company and former chairman of the advisory board of Credit Suisse
- Hans Werner Heymann (born 1946), professor of pedagogy
- Günter Helmes (born 1954), professor of literary studies and media studies
- Peter Hussing (born 1948), heavyweight boxing champion
- Thomas Kellner (born 1966), Fine Art Photographer, Guest Professor and Curator
- Helmut Kreuzer (1927–2004), Honorary and Founding Senator, and professor of German and literary studies
- Joachim Klewes (born 1954), co-founder of the advertising agency "Kohtes & Klewes"
- Andreas Pinkwart (born 1960), deputy prime minister of North Rhine-Westphalia 2005–2009 (Free Democratic Party)
- Helge Pross (1927–1984), sociologist
- Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht (born 1948), German-American professor of literary studies
- Johannes Remmel (born 1962), minister of climate change, environment, agriculture, science and consumer protection of North Rhine-Westphalia (Alliance '90 / The Greens)
- Hartmut Ring (born 1946), professor of mathematics, author of the musical notation program capella
- Frank Sauer (born 1959), Kabarett artist, actor and writer
- Frank Schirrmacher (born 1959), co-publisher of the national German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
- Herbert Schnauber (born 1938), professor of ergonomics
- Rudolf Schwarte (born 1939), professor of electronic engineering, inventor of the Photonic Mixer Device (PMD) technology, co-founder of PMD Technologies, recipient of the Officer's Cross of the BVO
- Werner D'Inka (born 1954), co-publisher of the national German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
- Klaus-Peter Thaler (born 1949), cyclo-cross champion
- Trutz von Trotha (1946–2013), professor of sociology
- Axel Weber (born 1957), Chairman of UBS and former president of Deutsche Bundesbank
- Artur Woll (1923–2020), professor of economics, founding rector, honorary senator
An Alumnus on Wikispooks
| Person | Born | Nationality | Summary | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axel Weber | 8 March 1957 | Germany | Economist Central banker | G30 central banker |
