Saarland awards innovative university teaching with 30,000 euros!

Saarland awards innovative university teaching with 30,000 euros!

On March 13, 2025, the State Prize for University Teaching 2024 was awarded at the htw saar. According to Saarland University, two courses in the “Nutritional Medicine and Dietetics” course received awards. The prize, worth 30,000 euros, recognizes practical teaching concepts with a focus on health prevention. In this context, the “Mathematics Preparatory Course in Computer Science” also received a special prize for outstanding student commitment, worth 1,000 euros.

The prizes were ceremoniously presented by State Secretary Wolfgang Förster. The award-winning modules, “Applied Food Chemistry and Microbiology” and “Nutrition and Prevention using Obesity as an Example,” are characterized by interdisciplinary approaches. The teaching teams consist of junior professor Dr. Sandra Rother, Professor Dr. Soren Becker, Dr. Verena Keller and Sandra Möwius together. These modules promote collaboration between medical and nutritional medicine students and address the growing importance of prevention in healthcare.

Focus on health prevention

The “Nutritional Medicine and Dietetics” course is aimed at state-certified dietitians and focuses on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Particularly noteworthy is the module “Nutrition and prevention using the example of obesity”, which was introduced in the summer semester of 2023. Here, students learn how to competently advise patients on nutritional therapy. Lectures and practical experiences in nutritional diagnostics are an integral part of this module.

The other excellent module, “Applied Food Chemistry and Microbiology,” also has an expanded focus on MINT skills. Students are taught which chemical and microbiological processes take place in food and which safety aspects need to be taken into account. This approach ensures a sound basic education in the natural sciences, which is essential for understanding nutritional medicine.

Mathematics preliminary course in computer science and its importance

The mathematics preliminary course in computer science, which has been offered since 2015, has developed into an important institution for over 250 first-year students. The four-week, voluntary preparation course is organized by around 50 committed students. It includes lectures, courses and coaching that aim to consolidate the mathematical foundations for computer science-related courses.

The initiative is strongly supported by the student organizers, who contribute a great deal of commitment to preparing students for their studies. Such formats, which are based on student engagement, are increasingly being recognized by the organizers of the State University Teaching Prize in order to promote innovative teaching methods.

• Der Landespreis Hochschullehre wird seit 2003 jährlich verliehen.
• Das Preisgeld kann auf mehrere Preisträger aufgeteilt werden, insgesamt beträgt es 48.000 Euro.
• Seit 2023 wird außerdem ein Sonderpreis für studentisches Engagement in Höhe von 2.000 Euro vergeben.

According to the Ministry of Science, the State Prize for University Teaching provides an incentive to recognize outstanding teaching achievements and promote innovative teaching methods. Proposals for the prizes can be submitted to the university management until September 20, 2024.

The entire commitment to health promotion at universities is also in the context of the Prevention Act that came into force in July 2015. As part of this law, universities are required to actively support health promotion and create appropriate structures. Despite this requirement, many universities still have a significant need for action in implementation, particularly with regard to the integration of students into health promotion measures. Studies show that student health has been further challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic, which only reinforces the need for such programs.

Overall, the award for the courses and the prize for student engagement reflects a growing awareness of the importance of health literacy and innovative teaching at German universities. Saarland University's initiatives set standards that should also receive attention nationwide.

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