With heart and mind: A legacy for university didactics

With heart and mind: A legacy for university didactics

Matthias Wesseler, born in 1941, has had a significant influence on university didactics at the University of Kassel for many years. From 1975 to 2006 he worked in the university didactics department and left a lasting impression that goes beyond his specialist areas. Wesseler was known for his caring, balance and tolerance, qualities that made him not only a valued scientist, but also an inspiring teacher. He advocated comprehensive reforms in university education in order to meet the new challenges in a changing society.

As early as 1975, Wesseler initiated an international course for university didactics aimed at scientists from the global south. His commitment led to the development of university didactic approaches that became an essential part of the “University Staff Development Program” (UNISTAFF). This program, which he designed starting in 1994, was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and was able to successfully integrate over 300 university leaders from Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Wesseler's priorities and successes

Wesseler paid particular attention to Central America. From 2001 he led the “UniCambio XXI” project, which offered a platform for the exchange and development of university didactic concepts. Under his leadership, numerous university didactic lectures and seminars took place worldwide. In doing so, he was able to significantly positively influence the perception of “Witzenhausen” at universities in the global south.

Wesseler was not only active in international university didactics, but also played a key role in internal reforms in the department. As part of the “model experiment in the university sector of organic farming” from 1995 to 1999, he made a significant contribution to the institutionalization of ecological profiling. The introduction of the role of dean of studies, which Wesseler held from 2000 to 2006, was another milestone in his career. Important topics during his term of office included the Bologna reform and the modularization of diploma courses, as well as the introduction of new English-language master's courses.

The legacy of university didactics

University didactics itself represents an interdisciplinary approach that deals with the quality of teaching and learning at universities. It addresses both theoretical and practical questions and links different levels of teaching and learning. Reflection on teaching-learning development and the promotion of student-centered didactics are central concerns of university didactics, which have changed significantly in recent decades. This discipline has historical roots in the early 19th century and experienced an upswing particularly in the 1960s and 1970s due to international university reforms that were intended to improve the quality of teaching.

In the context of today's challenges, university didactics not only have to deal with digitalization and heterogeneous students, but also with reforms such as the Bologna Process, which has intensified the discussion about course content and structures. University didactic centers in Germany have developed a wide range of offerings, with the focus often being on the design and optimization of study conditions. Despite the successes, further developments are necessary to meet increasing demands.

With Matthias Wesseler, the University of Kassel is losing an outstanding teacher and scientist whose legacy extends far beyond the boundaries of the university. His life's work will be remembered in university didactics and beyond as an example of committed teaching and learning.