Two days a week, the students learn the scientific theory in the practice-integrated dual study course at the IU International University, three days they explore operational practice in the partner companies. It is important to dovetail the teaching at the university with the teaching in the company as well as possible. The latter is one of the tasks of Jutta Kessler, teacher and professor at the Mainz campus of the IU. She also ensures that the workload for the participants does not become too great overall.
SZ: Your university recently reported a new record with more than 7,000 freshmen. What do you estimate: How many of them are still there at the end of their studies?
Jutta Kessler: At least 95 percent. As a private university, we are jointly responsible for the success of your studies. Because what we offer is not periods of study, but degrees. That’s why we do everything we can to keep our students on track.
What influence do you have on the operational part of the course?
The companies know exactly what workload the students have with us, and the lecturers are familiar with the work situations. We have fixed standards for theory and practice. They also apply to workload. We regularly exchange information with the contact persons for the dual study program in the companies in order to guarantee these standards. If a practice partner demands too much from the students, they will be replaced.
What requirements does the dual study course place on the participants that go beyond the normal course of study?
They have less freedom than “normal” students because they have to work 100% in two places. In this respect, they need good time management and the ability to organize themselves. In return, they don’t have to worry about the job market because most of them are taken on. Uncertainty about the future creates stress. Dual students usually don’t have that.
Why is the dropout rate in dual studies so low?
Because we don’t leave the students alone. I used to teach at Heidelberg University, where I was concerned with reducing the dropout rate. In doing so, I realized that pedagogical care is a foreign concept. Public universities have little interest in degrees. They say: you either make it or you don’t. Private universities want to act in a customer-focused manner. Their offer is called: high-quality degrees. That’s why I’m here: to make the requirements of the course clear to the students and to be there for them at any time if they have any questions.
Do students come to the lecturers when they feel overwhelmed?
Absolutely. We will then immediately inform the study advisors on campus. They know the situation of each individual student, get in touch with the practice partner, and then we talk to each other to resolve the situation that they perceive as stressful. To put it bluntly: I work proactively in every phase of my studies towards a successful degree, even when stress has already arisen.
Is the dual study program a kind of “supervised study”?
We lecturers see ourselves as educational companions. We don’t try to educate the young adults with praise and blame. But to support them in their concern to position themselves in the best possible way on the job market.