The Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences' (HSWT) university development plan was developed over several years of participative process and was completed in 2019. It identifies 'inclusion and diversity' as one of the challenges that HSWT is facing.

Our strategic goals in relation to diversity by 2025 are as follows:

'We will create awareness among all university members regarding the meaning of social competence and responsibility. We will provide the framework conditions and develop the appropriate services to help us to successfully meet the challenges of our globalised, digital world.'

'As a university, we are a place of collective learning and working. Shared values and standards form the basis of success, satisfaction and commitment for all university members and alumni. Ours is a culture of respect, appreciation, openness, equal opportunities and diversity. We promote the compatibility of university and family life.'

HSWT is a place where people from a wide range of nations come to learn and work together. To illustrate the geographical diversity of countries of origin in the HSWT family, the Gender and Diversity department has created an HSWT nationality world map in cooperation with the project team from the Centre for International Affairs. The map shows how many students, course participants, teaching staff and employees at HSWT come from each country of origin (as at 15/09/2021). Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences recognises the opportunities provided by diversity and stands for equal opportunities. It promotes a culture of respect, appreciation, and openness.

At universities, in addition to employees, who are protected by the German General Act on Equal Treatment (AGG), students are also often affected by discrimination, abuse of power, sexual harassment and sexual violence. The protection of the AGG does not apply to students!

This is one of the reasons why in 2018 the university management issued the 'HSWT policy against abuse of power, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual violence' ("HSWT Richtlinie gegen Machtmissbrauch, Diskriminierung, sexuelle Belästigung und sexuelle Gewalt").

Women’s affairs and equal opportunities officers support university management, the senate and the departments in implementing equal opportunities for women and men across all levels. They encourage female scientists, teaching staff, employees and students to achieve their goals. Women’s affairs officers are contacts for female students and academic employees. Equal opportunities officers are contacts for all non-academic employees.

HSWT offers a wide range of advice and support for students as well as lecturers and staff concerning studies and placements abroad through the International Office. You can find more information here.

The Language Centre offers language courses for both students and staff. You can find more information here.

Faltblatt "Schutz vor Machtmissbrauch, Diskriminierung, sexueller Belästigung und sexueller Gewalt"

Kontakt zur Beschwerdestelle Diskriminierung der HSWT

Diskriminierende Angriffe im Hochschulkontext – Handlungsempfehlungen der bukof für Wissenschaftler:innen und ihr Umfeld

Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences offers the following services to students with a disability, chronic illness or other special needs:

• advice regarding examination conditions to ensure their needs are taken into account
• advice on suitable accommodation
• course and programme materials in an alternative format
• advice on personal helpers such as note-takers or sign language interpreters
• advice and support with making applications for grants (also for studying abroad).

You can find more information here.

 

The Representative Body for Disabled People promotes the inclusion of disabled people within the service/department, represents their interests and provides them with advice.

You can find more information here.

HSWT offers all students a comprehensive range of information, advice and services relating to the reconciliation of studies, career and family.

You can find more information here.

A high level of organisation is required, so you should make sure to complete your application and plan your semester in good time. What additional applications can I make when applying for a place? How do I structure and organise my studies to allow for absences due to illness? Whom should I contact if I have questions? Is there any financial support?

If you are interested in studying with us, you can contact the Department for Admissions and the Inclusion Officer. You can find important information concerning hardship applications on page 24 of the general information sheet on the admissions procedure (Allgemeines Informationsblatt zum Zulassungsverfahren). Departmental student advisors and teaching staff can advise students on individual courses of study, covering topics such as course content, examination regulations, course structure, crediting academic performance and direct organisation of studies.

Section 2(4): 'The universities participate in the social promotion of students with; (...) They ensure that disabled students are not disadvantaged in their studies and that they are able to make use of the university facilities without the need of outside help, if possible.'

Section 16, sentence 4: '(...) Examination regulations must take into account the special needs of disabled students to ensure equal opportunities.' (Framework Act for Higher Education (Hochschulrahmengesetz))

According to the BEST study (BEST-Studie), currently 8% of students at German universities have health limitations and face difficulties in participating in their studies. HSWT is committed to breaking down barriers, compensating for disadvantages and creating conditions conducive to successful studying. Give us the opportunity to ensure, through our support, that you have the same chances as any other student to be successful in your degree.

For students with visible or hidden disabilities, studying can be time-consuming and often involves major financial difficulties. This is why there are exemptions for students in the student funding through the Federal Education and Training Assistance Act (BAföG) or student loans.

You can receive more information on BAföG or student loans from the Munich Student Union and the Erlangen-Nuremberg Student Union.

The type of support can vary, depending on your disability.

• Questions about the organisation of individual degree programmes and work
• Compensation for disadvantages/individual examination conditions
• Advice on personal assistance
• Lecture and seminar documents in an alternative format
• Technical aids
• Advice and support when applying for grants (and placements abroad)

• Student Accommodation in Munich and Freising
• Student Accommodation in Nuremberg and Erlangen
• Munich Student Union canteen and cafe
• Nuremberg-Erlangen Student Union canteen and cafe
• Psychosocial Advisory Service
  
• IT rooms
• Library

Students may take a leave of absence for an important reason. A disability or chronic illness is classed as an important reason. A leave of absence is only possible from the student’s second semester onwards. Further information and the application (please observe the deadlines) can be found here.

Don’t delay in getting in touch!

HSWT offers all staff a comprehensive range of information, advice and services relating to the reconciliation of studies, career and family.

You can find more information here.

German Parental Support and Parental Leave Act (Bundeselterngeld- und Elternzeitgesetz – BEEG)

German Home Care Leave Act (Pflegezeitgesetz – PflegeZG)

German Family Caregiver Leave Act (Familienpflegezeitgesetz – FPfZG)

German Part-Time Work and Fixed-Term Employment Contract Law (Teilzeit- und Befristungsgesetz – TzBfG)

German Maternity Protection Act (Mutterschutzgesetz – MuSchG)

German Maternity and Parental Leave Ordinance (Mutterschutz- und Elternzeitverordnung – MuSchEltZV)

stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersexual and queer. The * is intended to include people who do not identify with the given labels and provides the opportunity for them to include their own self-identified label.

Diversity and innovation at HSWT

HSWT is a place where people from a wide range of nations come to learn and work together. Diversity in terms of cultural and ethnic origin, age, gender, sexual orientation and identity, mental and physical abilities and individual living and working circumstances strengthens our community. We can only achieve the best possible performance when everyone has the freedom to be themselves.

HSWT’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is pivotal to a responsive and open culture. With our focus on the health and well-being of our employees and students, we create a working and learning environment where every individual feels they belong and can give their best, regardless of their background.

It is in our interest to attract the best talent on the market. A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity should not matter – this is how innovation is born.

As part of our commitment to diversity, we also accept the dgti supplementary ID card as the basis for making changes to the data in our student database.

When I came out, I was often told that being part of the LGBTQ+ community was normal, that we were living in the 21st century. However, I know from my own experience that in some contexts it is difficult to externalise a relationship that does not conform to the heteronormative ideal and that casual clothes seem to make me less feminine. For me, coming out is always associated with the fear of negative reactions and consequences, for example in terms of social acceptance and job prospects. It would be nice if all people were treated with the same level of respect. However, until we get there, it is important to name the LGBTQ+ community and in doing so to draw attention to the structural disadvantage. For me, HSWT’s work on LGBTQ+ is an important step towards valuing students of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Information and support can be found here.

German websites:

Handlungsempfehlungen der bukof für Geschlechtervielfalt an Hochschulen

Bedeutung von LSBTTIQ

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Transidentität und Intersexualität dgti e.V.

Queere Bildung e.V.

diversity München

Gruppe Queer Franken

Many Shades of Gender - Ein FAQ zu den Genderstudies

Netzwerk LSBTTIQ Baden-Württemberg

Proudr - Netzwerk LGBT+

In English:

Diversity Charter

Gender Campus CH

LGBTQ groups in Freising

Munich student union advisory network

 

 

This information is available on our German website only.