Prof. Dr. Andreas Donner, Dean of the Department of Economics (FB2), on innovations and special study programs on what is perhaps the most beautiful campus in Germany.
Prof. Donner, do students at FB2 come into contact with commercial enterprises?
Prof. Andreas Donner: We want to provide our students with an excellent education in the fields of Business Administration, Real Estate and Business Law at Bachelor's and Master's level. We consistently gear our courses towards practical relevance. We maintain strong contacts with top-class commercial enterprises, global market leaders and small and medium-sized companies in the region. The Logistics and Aviation Management and Online Communications degree programs offer students excellent opportunities for specialization.
Is the specialization of the degree programs an attractive feature?
The focus of our courses allows for specialization. In our view, this is the right way to remain attractive to students in the future. The Real Estate and Business Law degree programs are successful examples of this, which can only be found at a few universities in Germany. Or our Online Communications degree program, which is an almost unique offering. Another plus, in addition to the strong practical relevance, is our offer in aviation logistics.
What does your career path look like, what are your subjects?
I studied economics and law at the Free University of Berlin, where I did my doctorate on the subject of "Tobacco advertising and Europe". Competition and antitrust law are still very exciting topics, especially with regard to Europe and international markets.
Describe the location and atmosphere on Campus Bernburg.....
The green campus is something very special, perhaps there is no nicer one in the whole of Germany. We offer excellent supervision and small study groups. I have the impression that the students also experience a special form of cohesion. Once you are here and are interested, you enjoy the fact that innovative things happen here, that you can make a difference. And that you have the freedom to let ideas or products fail during your studies. In addition to modern facilities, we offer global networking with international partner universities. Whether in Buenos Aires, Auckland or Krakow - the global orientation is based on a network of excellent contacts and enables students to receive an academic education without borders.
What about the next generation of academics? Do they have any concrete ideas about business studies?
Well, there is room for improvement. They often lack an idea of what is behind the keyword "business administration". They hope for good career options, which is basically true. Not all first-year students are aware that they should have a good understanding of numbers and mathematics and a fundamental interest in Economics, and that an analytical mindset is also an advantage.
What are your plans for the Department over the next few years?
I think we will work even harder than before to develop a unique selling point. Unfortunately, it's not yet the case that students are flocking to Bernburg to study economics here. Our goal is to be able to offer such desirable courses that the best students from all over Germany make their way to us.
