international - Bergische Universität Wuppertal

Dear reaDer,
The new UNI Report 2011-
2012 tells the story of our university,
its projects, and above
all the people who work
and study here. It sets out to
make you part of this picture.
Its short, interesting articles
document the fascinating diversity
and vitality that mark
research, teaching, and academic
life within our walls.
Recent years have seen a
resetting of the stage on
which UW can continue to
develop into an internationally
successful research institution.
Already in 2009 we
achieved the most dynamic
growth in external funding of
all North Rhine-Westphalian
(NRW) universities. In the
past 18 months we have
together expanded our research
structures, for example
through the foundation of
new interdisciplinary centers,
the establishment of the ‘Reacting
Atmosphere’ research
network, and the institutionalization
of our cooperation
with Jülich Research Center.
An important role in the ac-
quisition of research funding
has again been played by our
generous supporters from
regional industry and society.
For example, the Dr. Werner
Jackstädt Center for Interdisciplinary
Entrepreneurship
and Innovation Research is
entirely funded by the Jackstädt
Foundation. I should like
to express my profound gratitude
here to that Foundation,
and to all other benefactors of
the University of Wuppertal,
for their continuing energetic
commitment.
That our common efforts
are worthwhile is demonstrated
by numerous successes,
and I would like to single
out two – one personal, one
institutional – as especially
noteworthy examples. The
doctoral thesis of Paul R. Willems
from the Department of
Mathematics was voted the
best dissertation in numerical
linear algebra worldwide, and
the Faculty of Economics has
been awarded a place in the
top group of the CHE (Center
for Higher Education Deve-
lopment) ranking.
It is clear that increasing success
increases the attractiveness
of Wuppertal not
only for potential students
but also for the teachers and
researchers of our university.
This is reflected in a surge of
between 15 and 35 percent in
the student intake of almost
every faculty in the past year.
Applications for academic
year 2011-2012 indicate a similarly
high level of interest.
Coming semesters will see
a number of special factors
impacting student numbers:
above all the reduction in
length of high school education
in NRW will double the
student body seeking university
admission in 2013. UW is
well prepared for such developments.
The new Lecture
Hall Center provides an ultramodern
teaching and learning
environment, and the University
Library has been extended
upward to create an
additional 200 student workstations.
Nor have student
accommodation and services
been neglected: working together
with the University
Social Services, UW management
has extended and enhanced
facilities to meet its
responsibility in catering for
increasing demand.
A broad and interesting degree
program offer, many
partnerships and cooperations
with universities abroad,
an excellent all-round
environment for students,
attractive research projects
– these, along with our many
highly committed students
and members of faculty,
make UW what it is. UNI Report
2011-2012 invites you
to find out more. Enjoy your
reading!
01_UNIWUPPERTAL
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