Shaking up the Status Quo at Europa-Universität: Swapping Lectures for Roundtables at the University of Viadrina
Discussions at Viadrina University to shift from traditional lectures to round table discussions. - Discussion-based learning sessions replacing traditional lectures at the University of Viadrina.
The University of Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) is undergoing a significant transformation in response to dwindling student numbers. The university's leaders are embracing contemporary teaching techniques, with traditional lecture halls being phased out in favor of round tables that foster a more conference-like ambiance. This shift was announced by the university administration in Frankfurt (Oder). The Viadrina also seeks to attract students through new study programs and doesn't rule out discontinuing less popular courses.
A reform blueprint for the university situated along the Polish border is set to be completed by early July and will subsequently be presented to the Ministry of Science. During the winter semester 2018/19, there were around 6,500 students enrolled, with approximately 3,700 currently registered. Student enrollment has also experienced a decline at other German university locations.
University President: Emphasizing Quality
Viadrina President Eduard Mühle commented on the reasons for the decline: "Maybe we haven't put in enough effort." The university's marketing strategy also requires improvement, as many young people in economics opt for private universities. Mühle mentioned that the decreasing student numbers also present an opportunity for the university to focus more on quality.
The Viadrina has an East European orientation, particularly keeping an eye on neighboring country Poland and Ukraine.
Vice President: Encouraging Commitment and Serious Study
The university expects a more dedicated approach from its students in the future. Lectures should not be viewed as a "flexible entertainment program," said the Viadrina Vice President for Teaching and Studies, Christoph Brömmelmeyer, who himself teaches business law. "I'm no Jan Böhmermann," he said.
The university aims to establish a "culture of commitment" so that students attend essential lectures with a genuine interest. "One must seriously engage with topics," said Brömmelmeyer.
Conference-style Learning Instead of Lectures
The teaching method is also set to become more contemporary: The Viadrina plans to move away from conventional frontal teaching, where the professor stands at the front and the students sit in fixed rows in front of them. "Good teaching should become our trademark," said Brömmelmeyer. He already prefers conference-style sessions at round tables because they foster more willingness to participate.
New Business Administration Model: Three Days at Uni, Two Days at the Office
Europa-Universität is focusing on dual study programs, for example, employing the "Three days at uni - two days at the employer's" model. A business administration degree ("Business Taxation"), where students also work in tax consultancy firms, will launch in autumn, as reported by Viadrina professor Christina Elschner.
New programs in the areas of digitalization, migration, and sustainability are also planned. The Viadrina hopes to offer these courses as early as the winter semester 2026/2027, as announced by the university administration.
According to the statistics office, there were a total of 48,133 students enrolled at Brandenburg universities in the summer semester 2024, which represented an increase of 1,726 students compared to the previous summer semester.
The University of Viadrina is part of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), a group promoting forward-thinking, student-centric approaches to higher education. One of its reform initiatives includes abandoning traditional lecture formats in favor of more engaging methods, such as roundtable discussions, traveling seminars, intensive courses, and summer/winter schools, creating interactive and collaborative learning environments .
 https://reformuniversities.eu/ https://www.uni-viadrina.de/studium/summer-school/ https://news.viadrina.de/uni-news/voj-18-education https://www.uni-viadrina.de/studieren/erua-studentenvertretung/ https://www.uni-viadrina.de/forschung/institute/iai/iakl/
- The University of Viadrina is part of the European Reform University Alliance (ERUA), which encourages the abandonment of traditional lecture formats and promotes engaging methods such as vocational training, roundtable discussions, and intensive courses, serving to facilitate a culture of commitment and development in education-and-self-development.
- As part of the ERUA's reform initiatives, the University of Viadrina is developing a business administration model that includes vocational training, offering a program called "Three days at uni - two days at the employer's," which falls under the university's focus on general-news study programs, including digitalization, migration, and sustainability, with the aim to implement these courses by the winter semester 2026/2027.