Executive Board
We are the Executive Board of Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences
Together with all members of the university, we create the right framework conditions for all students and employees of HRW so that they can seize opportunities for their personal development. As enthusiastic employees and students, we stand for an HRW with critically thinking members who find solutions and advance issues.
We divide the upcoming tasks in the Executive Board as follows:
Prof.in Dr. Susanne Staude
President
‘With the presidential colleges, I would like to further develop the university and build on existing strengths. In the coming years, we will continue to pursue our vision of being a university of opportunities - in particular, we will support and strengthen prospective students from marginalised groups that have previously been less represented at universities. We will achieve this with a wide range of guidance and support services, future-oriented teaching methods, interdisciplinary degree programme concepts, service-oriented processes, creative colleagues and qualified graduates who can be proud of their achievements and who are in demand in companies. This is HRW's contribution to tackling the shortage of skilled labour in STEM and business subjects.’
Dr. Jörn Hohenhaus
Chancellor
‘As a young university, HRW has a special opportunity to utilise its diverse potential and implement forward-looking perspectives in teaching and research in line with its vision. The employees of the service area contribute to the achievement of the university's and departments' goals with their consistent service orientation, process-orientated actions and self-confidence. Continuous personnel and organisational development creates and maintains skills in a changing working environment.’
Prof. Dr. Joachim Friedhoff
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Teaching
“Digitalization and artificial intelligence are changing the role of knowledge, work, and responsibility in our society. At HRW, we therefore continuously develop our degree programs and teaching to prepare students for an increasingly dynamic working world. Our goal is higher education that combines subject-specific qualification with the development of sound judgment and the ability to act. Students should learn to analyze complex problems, critically assess technological developments, and act responsibly. With practice-oriented degree programs, modern laboratories, and close collaboration between study programs, Hochschule Ruhr West is very well positioned for learning based on real-world challenges. We want to further strengthen these assets and support them through clear structures, transparent processes, and the responsible use of digital technologies.”
Prof.in Dr. Aysegül Dogangün
Vice President for Research and Transfer
“We shape research, teaching, and knowledge transfer as key future-oriented fields of our university, combining academic excellence, strength in securing third-party funding, and societal impact. To this end, we create clear strategic framework conditions, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and provide targeted support to colleagues in developing their research capabilities and funding competitiveness. At the same time, we strengthen transfer into practice, society, and future-oriented teaching. In this way, we further sharpen our university’s research and transfer profile, increase its visibility, and develop sustainable structures for long-term regional success. We rely on transparent processes, clear priorities, and a culture of collaboration that strategically advances research and teaching and ensures their impact is sustained over time.”
