Social engagement
The mutual exchange with the non-academic world is a constant claim of the University of Cologne (UoC) and the WiSo Faculty. On the one hand, there are the individual members of the university who pursue different types of social commitment:
WiSo students are involved in numerous student initiatives, such as the largest business congress organized by students, "World Business Dialogue". Our scientists in turn are involved in public relations work and Citizen Science projects or advise the media and politics as experts. On the other hand, the university and the WiSo Faculty itself are institutional actors in civil society. Together with other research institutions in Cologne, the UoC is involved in the Cologne Science Round Table for the exchange between urban society and science. In numerous public events, it offers interested citizens the opportunity to participate in scientific and social discussions.
Our alumni network WiSoAlumni also actively involves former WiSo members. Among other things, we offer our students a mentoring programme. Furthermore, the University of Cologne is committed to educational justice. Target group-specific offers such as talent scouting at schools or the advisory work of the association "Erste Generation Promotion e.V." contribute to this.
"Remember that the best managers are not only experts in their fields, but also have strong personalities. Above all, you have to be able to take people with you. As a manager, I have to be able to motivate, moderate and integrate, as well as act empathetically. A good boss builds a strong team by finding the ideal mix of different skills and characters. My advice for your career and professional development is to always show your personality. Don't pretend to be someone that you’re not. Stand up for what you believe in, even when there's resistance. At some point, you’ll be recognized as someone who can withstand the storm. And as soon as a position opens up, the leaders will remember you."
Lutz Meschke,
Deputy Chairman and Member of the Executive Board, Finance and IT - Porsche AG (DAX)
Another example of the social commitment of the WiSo Faculty is the regular participation in the program of the KölnerKinderUni. The KölnerKinderUni was initiated by the University of Cologne in 2003. Today it is offered as a cooperative project by universities and scientific institutions which are united in the so-called Cologne Science Round Table. The events of the KölnerKinderUni are aimed at children aged 8 to 12. As a rule, lectures and workshops are offered, in individual cases also projects that run over a longer period of time.
The WiSo Faculty also offers lectures and lecture series at various locations in the city of Cologne, for example, in the anniversary year 2019 a public lecture series on the topic of "Understanding society - current research from the Institute for Sociology and Social Psychology" ("Gesellschaft verstehen – Aktuelle Forschung aus dem Institut für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie") in order to reach as many non-university guests as possible.