The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) has signed a cooperation agreement with three other schools in the region. The partner network now includes the Stiftische Humanistische Gymnasium Mönchengladbach, the Gesamtschule Kempen and the Gesamtschule am Botanischen Garten in Krefeld. The aim of the agreements is to support pupils in their studies and career choices. Early support is intended to build a bridge to practical and research-oriented studies and thus help to generate the next generation of students.
The cooperation can take many different forms - sometimes the pupils can get a taste of university life, sometimes the HSNR sends personnel to the schools. At the university, for example, pupils can attend open lectures, spend a day looking behind the scenes at Girls' & Boys' Day, take part in campus tours and library rallies and thus get to know the university environment in a "playful" way. Events such as the Engineering Days, the Long Evening of Student Advice or the Student Orientation Weeks offer pupils the opportunity to get to grips with the wide range of programmes on offer.
The HSNR has been in contact with the Stiftisches Humanistisches Gymnasium Mönchengladbach (HUMA) for several years. For example, the university is regularly represented at the school's project week. As part of the cooperation, an additional offer is to be created for talented pupils in addition to advice on study orientation. For example, they can attend an orientation internship or a one-week taster week. HUMA Head of School Thomas Hollkott: "The HSNR offers our students great opportunities to gather information and experience. This will provide them with valuable support when deciding on a career path".
Pupils from Städtische Gesamtschule Kempen already visited the HSNR sites in Krefeld and Mönchengladbach last year to get to know the various faculties. "This cooperation gives pupils the opportunity to find their way directly into the very diverse faculties offered by The Hochschule Niederrhein after graduating from high school," says Suzan Torun-Schneider, Headmistress of Städtische Gesamtschule Kempen. In addition to the annual university visits and the Student Advice Service of the HSNR, the date has already been set for another popular format: "Meet the Prof". Here, university lecturers explain their subject or specialty to the students.
At the HSNR, STEM enthusiasts can attend selected courses during a one-week taster week or take part in workshops in the high-tech workshop "MakerSpace" or in the IT student laboratory. Four pupils from the Gesamtschule am Botanischen Garten in Krefeld took advantage of this offer as part of the university week under the motto "Try out studying". The Krefeld school has also recently become a cooperation partner of HSNR. "We are very pleased about the cooperation with the university. It gives our pupils many insights into the wide range of courses offered by The Hochschule Niederrhein," says principal Birgit Oelmüllers-Hoff.
HSNR President Dr. Thomas Grünewald: "We look forward to welcoming many inquisitive students who want to get to know us and our programs. And we hope to be able to support them effectively in finding their dream job."
Not only pupils should benefit from the agreements, but also the teachers at the schools. One important component is the exchange between school teachers and HSNR professors. In addition, the HSNR supports teaching education staff in getting young people interested in scientific and technical topics.
