Christian Poetsch, former commercial director of Burda Digital Systems GmbH, had been a member of the Advisory Board since 2002 and took over its chairmanship in 2008. During this time, he initiated, for example, the Emergency Fund for Students in cooperation with the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and thus made a significant contribution to supporting students in need - not only of the Graduate School. He was also a lecturer at the University. Dr. Alexander Burdumy, the director of the International Center to which the Graduate School belongs, and Vera Vanié, director of the Graduate School, thanked Christian Poetsch for his many years of honorary commitment.

Stephan Schwietzke, Director Carbonless Paper Division at Papierfabrik August Koehler SE in Oberkirch, was elected as Christian Poetsch's successor. Schwietzke has already been a member of the Advisory Board since 2011.

With Dr. Jürgen Quittek, Managing Director of NEC Laboratories Europe GmbH Heidelberg, and Georg Klopfer, General Manager of HiSS Diagnostics GmbH Freiburg, the Advisory Board also gained two new members from the life sciences and IT security sectors.

The Advisory Board

The Graduate School's Advisory Board was established in 2000 and since then has advised the University on all matters concerning the international master's programs. The 13 members, including six external experts, provide valuable recommendations and advice on the further development of the degree programs, for example. This ensures that graduates always have the smoothest possible entry into the German and international job markets. Currently, 239 students from all over the world are studying in the international master's programs at the Graduate School of Offenburg University of Applied Sciences.