Societal challenges such as demographic change, the shortage of skilled workers, the growing influence of AI on all areas of life, and shifts in political forces and power dynamics also affect universities. In the editorial of the new issue of “Forum,” University President Prof. Dr. Susanne Weissman explains the structural changes that Mainz University of Applied Sciences has decided to implement to ensure its long-term viability. The strategic development of academic programs and teaching is the focus of an interview with Vice President Prof. Kerstin Molter, Prof. Julia Kühne, and Daniel Bayer, who head the Center of Excellence for Teaching at the university.
Other articles explore how the EMPOWER Transfer Alliance is driving the strengthening of regional innovation, which forward-looking energy concepts are being developed in the Department of Construction and Environment, and what impacts the digital transformation is having on the cultural and creative industries. A highlight is the Late Light Festival “Mainz leuchtet,” which celebrated a spectacular premiere in September 2023 and literally lit up the city center.
The print edition of “Forum” is available in the Holzstraße foyer, on the Magistrale on campus, on Wallstraße, and in the LUX Pavilion.
CONTENTS
IN FOCUS
Navigating Uncertain Times
SUSANNE WEISSMAN – University Development Plans as Navigation Aids
FROM TEACHING AND RESEARCH
The EMPOWER Transfer Alliance
ANETT MEHLER-BICHER, SUSANNE WEIß-WITTSTADT – First Milestones and Successes
BAU meets LUX
CLAUDIA SCHRÖDER, AXEL FREIBOTH, ANDREAS GARG – A Week Dedicated to Sustainable Construction
Mainz Shines
BARBARA RÜHLE – Mainz University of Applied Sciences Lights Up the City Center
More Than Just Aesthetics
DAVID VOSS – The “interposed” Symposium Highlighted the Qualities of Design from an Interdisciplinary Perspective
The Land of Plenty
MONIKA AICHELE – 15 Years of Illustration at 25 Locations
Artificial Intelligence in Creative Industries
ELMAR D. KONRAD – The Third Creative Entrepreneurship Day
Do You Trust ChatGPT?
MARTIN HUSCHENS – AI Research Made in Mainz
LEHRimpuls
ANNEMARIE FREUDENBERG, JULIA KÜHNE, DANIEL BAYER, DINO CUBELA, ALESSSANDRA RESS – The day dedicated to innovative teaching took place for the second time in November 2023
INTERNATIONAL
Internationalization at Home
MARKUS HEHN – A collaborative project with Albanian students – including a field trip to Tirana
Turning Dreams into Reality through Social Impact
JULIANA LIBREROS RUIZ – A journey from Bogotá to Mainz
INTERVIEW
“We must lead the way and show how it can be done.”
A conversation with Vice President Prof. Kerstin Molter, Prof. Julia Kühne, and Daniel Bayer about the strategic development of academic programs and teaching
PROFILE
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lennartz / Prof. Dr. Sabine Landwehr-Zloch / Prof. Mirjam Leuze / Prof. Eric Winker / Prof. Dr. Jens Heidrich
NEWS IN BRIEF
CD Relaunch / “Helau-o-Mat” Premiere / Data Service for Emergency Vehicles / Paper at LUX
