50 Years 50 Faces
Ass. iur. Sandra Zitzow-Zwosta
Head of the Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency
At FHWS since 01 Jan. 2010
For me, FHWS is ...
an outstanding place for studying and continuing education in the Main-Franconia region.
What do you appreciate about FHWS?
With a wide range of undergraduate and consecutive degree programmes, as well as part-time continuing education, FHWS is an ideal place to go for anyone who wants to develop personally and professionally, regardless of their own previous knowledge. Due to their specific needs, working professionals and those with professional experience benefit particularly from personal counselling and support. For my team at the Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency and myself, this represents a pleasant but also challenging work atmosphere.
What was the best decision in your professional career and why? What has changed since then?
Since my school days, it has been important for me to do work that makes sense and where I can actively shape and make a positive difference. After studying law and working in various other positions, my path led me to the area of continuing education at a higher education institution. In the Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency, I have since been allowed to develop the continuing education programme of FHWS and thereby open up opportunities every day – for society, the regional economy, but also for each individual. Fulfilling this task together with a great and committed team makes me enjoy going to work every day.
What do you think has shaped FHWS the most over the last 50 years?
Würzburg's business world, with its focus on services and small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as Schweinfurt's character as an innovative industrial city, have led to a growing need for up-to-date and practice-oriented academic education and training in recent decades. As a result, FHWS has developed a broad range of study and research programmes in the fields of business, technology, design and social affairs. In addition, the conversion areas in Schweinfurt opened up the possibility of reacting to increasing globalisation and intensifying the internationalisation of the university. Due to the changing working conditions and requirements, the demand for offers in the field of lifelong learning also increased, which FHWS met in 2005 by founding the central organisational unit Campus for Professional Development.
What is your vision of the future for FHWS? What might FHWS look like in 50 years’ time?
In the coming years, the higher education landscape will be faced with the challenge of preparing students of all disciplines for the transformations of the labour market and increasingly complex social change processes in the digital age. In the future, students, but also professionals, must be enabled to actively shape technological and social change themselves. In the area of continuing education, the increase in flexibility of learning offers, e.g. through microlearning, learning materials that can be processed independently of time and place, and the visualisation of informally acquired competences will be a central topic.
What is your insider tip for the cities of Würzburg or Schweinfurt and why?
An evening walk through the romantic quarter in the old town called Zürch, which is also the oldest section of Schweinfurt. Stroll through the alleys with its nooks and crannies, walk past beautiful courtyards, residential and artisan’s houses which have all been renovated with attention and love to detail.