Mainz University of Applied Sciences has been recognized as a Gleichstellungsstarke Hochschule—a university with strong gender equality. Minister of Science and Health Clemens Hoch presented the plaque to University President Prof. Dr. Katharina Dahm at a working meeting of the association Familie in der Hochschule e.V. (Family in Higher Education Association). The recognition honors the university’s equality concept, with which it successfully participated in the federal and state Program for Women Professors 2030. Mainz University of Applied Sciences is the only university in Rhineland-Palatinate among the institutions honored.
“This award affirms our commitment to anchoring equality as a permanent part of university development. We understand equality in a comprehensive sense. It is not only about gender equality; it is about equal opportunities for all people, regardless of their personal circumstances. Our task is to create conditions that enable participation, foster diversity, and allow potential to flourish,” said Prof. Dr. Katharina Dahm, President of Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
Equality as part of a modern university culture
With its concept, Mainz University of Applied Sciences pursues the aim of creating equal opportunities for all members of the university community. Key priorities include fostering the advancement of women in academia, a family-friendly study and work environment, and a university culture built on respect and participation
The university already supports students and staff with services including childcare, financial assistance for students with children, flexible working hours, and counseling for those with caregiving responsibilities. These family-friendly measures form an important pillar of the university’s equality work.
“To date, a total of 39 of 192 universities across the country have been awarded the designation ‘University with Strong Gender Equality.’ Mainz University of Applied Sciences belongs to this select group and is so far the first and only university in Rhineland-Palatinate to receive this distinction. This impressively underlines the university’s strong commitment to equal opportunity and shows that it is on a very successful path in its equality work. I am pleased to celebrate this special moment today, together with everyone who contributed to this success,” said Minister of Science Clemens Hoch. He emphasized that it is important to him that women and men have equal opportunities in teaching and learning at universities. Women are still underrepresented, especially in higher academic positions. The Program for Women Professors complements the state government’s efforts by specifically supporting women in professorships and further strengthening equality structures at universities.
Support for women pursuing careers in academia and teaching
A key component of the equality concept is a range of new and existing offerings for women pursuing academic career paths. These include mentoring programs, scholarships, the development of a network for women doctoral candidates, and events focused on professorship as a profession. Appointment procedures are also to be aligned even more closely with the principles of equal opportunity.
A new feature is the close integration of early-career support, family friendliness, and sustainable university development. The concept treats equality not as a standalone measure but as a responsibility for the university as a whole. Planned initiatives include additional support for staff with caregiving responsibilities, stronger integration of gender issues in research and teaching, and anti-discrimination measures.
“Our concept combines concrete support services in everyday university life with structural measures to create greater equality in terms of opportunity. In doing so, we create conditions that foster individual potential and reflect the diverse realities of people’s lives,” said Mona Takow, Deputy Central Equal Opportunities Officer at Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
A recognition with broader significance
The award ceremony took place at a working meeting of the association Familie in der Hochschule e.V. (Family in Higher Education Association), which is dedicated to making it easier to balance study, work, and family responsibilities. The association currently has 161 member universities and higher education-related institutions from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
The distinction shows that universities can make an important contribution to expanding access to academic careers for more people. What is particularly noteworthy about the Mainz concept is its combination of equality, family friendliness, and sustainable university development.
Many of the planned measures can be implemented directly in everyday university life and can help remove barriers and strengthen diversity in research and teaching in the long term. Mainz University of Applied Sciences sees the award as a mandate to continue developing the measures already underway and to regularly evaluate their impact.
