04 November 2002

Honorary Senator Degree of the Mosbach University of Cooperative Education

Gerhard Hettinger, Managing Director of the Bürkert Group in Ingelfingen, is a new Honorary Senator of the Mosbach University of Cooperative Education. "Personalities who have supported the University of Cooperative Education in Mosbach in a special way are distinguished with this honorary title.

Gerhard Hettinger has decisively influenced the Baden-Württemberg model of dual course of studies at the University of Cooperative Education." With these words the Minister of State in the Science Ministry, Michael Sieber, paid tribute to the outstanding commitment of the economic expert for the Baden-Württemberg University of Cooperative Education and its students on 4 November in Stuttgart. The Science Ministry can bestow the designation "Honorary Senator" as a very special mark of distinction at the suggestion of the Dual Senate of a vocational academy.

Gerhard Hettinger was from the beginning on very open to the notion of the Mosbach University of Cooperative Education, which was founded in 1980. This led to the fact that the Bürkert Company became involved as one of the first companies in the Heilbronn/Franconia region - and particularly the Hohenlohe region - in the new higher educational institution, and has been a continuous dual partner of the vocational academy since then. In the meantime, Bürkert has successfully accompanied about 100 students in association with the University of Cooperative Education. As a convinced promoter of dual practical training and dual course of studies Gerhard Hettinger has ensured that the company has been very involved in the University of Cooperative Education, for instance through lectures by the company's own employees. The company also initiated the "Pro Berufsakademie Mosbach" foundation, and thus supports the further development of the University of Cooperative Education idealistically and financially. The firm also played a considerable role with regard to the determination of the course of studies offered at the Bad Mergentheim branch site.

Gerhard Hettinger himself was Chairman of the Co-ordination Committee from 1983 to 1987.

"Personalities the likes of Gerhard Hettinger have contributed to the fact that the Baden-Württemberg University of Cooperative Education has become a role model", said Minister of State Michael Sieber. "Moreover, the strong interlocking of scientific studies and practical application on the job site is also the guarantor for a successful studies model."