Shaping the future: HLA Lohne and the University of Vechta cooperate!

Shaping the future: HLA Lohne and the University of Vechta cooperate!

On May 23, 2025, around 70 students from the Lohne commercial college (HLA) visited the University of Vechta, accompanied by interested teachers. This excursion served to give the students an insight into student life and to obtain information about the Social Services Management (MSD) and Educational Management degree programs. University President Prof. Dr. Verena Pietzner welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of regional educational cooperation. This began a deeper collaboration that will be recorded in a future contract.

HLA Lohne's visit to Vechta is intended to serve as a catalyst for more intensive cooperation. Prof. Dr. Gerald Eisenkopf presented new general regulations for the recognition of achievements. These regulations enable graduates from different types of schools to have skills they have already acquired credited to the new degree programs. The concept was presented as a win-win for both sides and promised to enrich students' educational paths.

Course offerings and sample work

The university not only offered general information about course content, but also sample lectures. A remarkable lecture was given by Dr. Maximilian Hiller, who spoke on the topic of “Corporate scandals and the failure of supervisory bodies”. In his discussion he emphasized the crucial role of transparency, trust and control in organizations. The event was complemented by Dr. Bernd Josef Leisen, who gave insights into the innovation development of global companies as well as regional initiatives, especially in the context of digital innovations in care facilities in the Vechta district.

In addition, Prof. Dr. Vanessa Mertins and master's student Timm Nießner price negotiations in the lecture hall. This hands-on demonstration illustrated the impact of Adam Smith's concept of the “invisible hand” and provided students with valuable insight into economic theory.

Social Services Management course

The Social Services Management degree program covers a wide range of social, educational and health measures provided by public and private non-profit providers. The bachelor's degree program extends over six semesters and teaches basic economics including business administration, micro- and macroeconomics, as well as sustainable economics.

After graduation, students have the opportunity to complete a consecutive master's degree in social services management. Credit options exist for graduates of certain types of school, such as the vocational high school for business and the technical college for health and nursing, as well as for various vocational training courses in the social and commercial areas.

National and international cooperation

This strength of higher education is supported not only regionally but also internationally. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is committed to strengthening the structures of partner universities in the Global South, for example by developing modern, practice-oriented study programs. These initiatives aim to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The funding also includes the professionalization of university administration and the improvement of the training of university lecturers.

The DAAD supports projects that improve the quality and practical relevance of study programs and thus contributes to the development of efficient higher education systems. By aligning education with international standards, these initiatives promote mutual recognition of academic achievements and increase academic mobility.

Overall, the visit to the business schools at the University of Vechta shows how important regional cooperation is and how the exchange of knowledge and experiences can help to optimally prepare the next generation of specialists in the field of social services. Such collaborations not only promote the quality of training, but also increase understanding of the social challenges of our time.