Here we go! — RPTU distance learners kick off their first semester 

“The Länd”—that is, Baden-Württemberg—was well represented, as was evident during the welcome address by Executive Director Dr. Nadine Bondorf. The distance learners at the DISC (Distance and Independence Studies Center) at RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau come not only from all over Germany but, in the case of various English-language degree programs, even from all over the world. Last weekend, they were officially welcomed to their first semester in Kaiserslautern.

“We want to make today’s welcome a bit more interactive because we want to learn more about our students,” Nadine Bondorf emphasized at the start. She had prepared a short online survey that students could take in real time by scanning a QR code. They answered questions about their background, their main motivation, and the factors that influenced their decision. Professional and personal development—that was clearly an important factor for most of them when deciding to pursue a distance learning program.

The DISC has been in existence at the University of Kaiserslautern since 1992 and currently has about 3,500 distance learning students. The RPTU’s distance learning programs cover a broad range of subjects. “Education, Social Sciences, and Culture,” “Leadership, Organization, and Consulting,” “Management, Finance, and Law,” “Health, Medicine, and Psychology,” and “Technology, Engineering, and Natural Sciences” make up the broad spectrum of the RPTU’s distance learning programs. Among the current 27 degree programs are several offered in English. For the upcoming winter semester, the portfolio will be expanded to include the degree programs “Quantum Technologies” and “Sports and Health Technology.”

Dr. Stefan Löhrke, Vice President for Academic Affairs at RPTU, welcomed the students via a video message and urged the new students to prioritize time management, communication, networking, and relaxation during their studies. However, he will be on site for the next session on November 18, when the orientation for the other distance learning programs will continue, including “Medical Physics,” “Organizational Development,” and the relatively new program “Technoethics.”