Responsibilities of an Academic Head of Programme for Work-Based Learning in companies at the DHBW

The collaboration work of program managers of faculties are vital, as they are at the interface between an institution’s decision-making bodies and managers and trainers on the job. They encourage the cross-fertilization of strategic approaches, build and support communities of practice, and nurture innovation in everyday practice in the collaboration among the three stakeholders, Higher Education Institution (HEI), World of Work (WoW) and students.

The program manager of a study program at the DHBW has two major roles, the management of the program and the management of the affiliated partners in the World of Work.

It is important to understand that the student is becoming an employee first before he is joining the university. The students is an employee in the affiliated partner company and a student at the same time. The program manager in the institution plays an important role to manage this alliance of the three stakeholders, HEI, WoW and student.

Specifically, the role of the Programme Manager at the DHBW includes:

1. Leadership and Management at the institution DHBW

1.1 be responsible and accountable for setting and advancing the academic strategy of the program in line with Faculty and University strategic plans and direction.

1.2 be an active member of the Faculty Executive Board and contribute to the overall leadership and management of the Faculty: it is expected that Heads of Program will carry functional responsibility for specific agreed cross-cutting Faculty areas.

1.3 develop and sustain appropriate structures for management, consultation, decision-making and communication with staff, guest lecturers, HR managers (Training managers) in the world of work and students.

1.4 promote and represent the DHBW both internally and externally

2. Responsibility for Teaching and Work-placements for the students

2.1 ensure the best possible student experience through:

• the fullfilment of the University´s responsibilities concerning students and world-of work expectations in respect of their admission, instruction, progress and examination and placements in the world of work;
• the availability of pastoral assistance in case of problems also during work-placements, and
• adherence to the regulations and procedures of Faculties and of the Senate how to collaborate with the world of work.

2.2 refresh and develop new programmes in order to attract new students from the world of work.

3. Responsibility for Work-Based Learning

3.1 ensure the highest levels of quality, integrity and ethics in all work-based teaching and learning initiatives undertaken;

3.2 create a dynamic and forward looking collaborative environment for all three stakeholders – HEI staff, WoW staff and students.

4. Knowledge Transfer

4.1 create and exploit new opportunities for knowledge transfer activity in order to secure additional income streams and new areas of teaching and/or research from the world of work.

4.2. contribute to University-wide initiatives in order to improve understanding and communication between the institution and the company.

5. Collaboration Management

5.1 ensure that University collaboration policies and procedures are implemented properly at the WoW.

5.2 ensure that company training staff performance is managed appropriately and in a way that is consistent with the expectations of the DHBW.

5.3 ensure all supporting staff in the faculty have access to the necessary support to enable them to contribute fully to the collaboration with the WoW.

5.4 engender a culture of excellence, co-operation and respect both within the faculty and collaborative partners

5.5 make effective use of all staffing resources and seek opportunities for further collaboration and joint working with others in the company beyond the department and beyond the Faculty.

5.6 ensure students are included as appropriate in the various decision making forum within the department.

5.7 ensure a safe and healthy environment for all partners, HEI staff, company staff and students, and full compliance with the quality standards defined.

6. Quality Assurance

6.1 ensure all activities are carried out to the highest possible standards and put in place the necessary evaluation and monitoring procedures to ensure both compliance and improvement: such procedures will include teaching at the institution and learning and training in the company, research and management of all resources.

6.2 comply with auditing, quality assurance and risk management procedures both internal and external.