Anniversary in Vechta: Lecture series shows how knowledge creates change!

Anniversary in Vechta: Lecture series shows how knowledge creates change!

On November 4th, 2025 the University of Vechta an exciting lecture series on the topic “Knowledge enables change – region and university in times of great upheaval”. The 30th anniversary of the university, which has experienced significant developments in recent decades, will also be honored. The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the role of knowledge in change processes and to shed light on the diverse facets of this topic.

In total, the lecture series will offer six exciting lectures. The kickoff will be on November 4th with Prof. Dr. Jochen Bär with his contribution about “linguistic changes and their consequences”. This is followed by further interesting perspectives, including from Prof. Dr. Lina Franken, who researches digital transformation in rural hall businesses, and Prof. Dr. Karl Martin Born, who examines the role of interdisciplinary research in the change process. The lectures take place in the music hall (room F144a) of the university at Driverstrasse 22 and always start at 6 p.m

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Diverse topics in focus

• 4.11.: Prof. Dr. Jochen Bär (Germanistik) – „Wandel ermöglicht Wissen – sprachliche Umbrüche und ihre Folgen“
• 11.11.: Prof. Dr. Lina Franken (Kulturwissenschaften) – „Wissen ermöglicht Wandel – Transformationen von Saalbetrieben im ländlichen Niedersachsen digital erforschen“
• 18.11.: Prof. Dr. Karl Martin Born (Geografie/VISTRA) – „Wissen ermöglicht Wandel – wie interdisziplinäre Forschung die Transformation gestaltet“
• 25.11.: Prof. Dr. Sascha Klein (Innovation und Entrepreneurship) – „Wissen ermöglicht Wandel: Wie Unternehmen den Strukturwandel durch strategische Innovation gestalten“
• 2.12.: Prof. Dr. Raphaela Porsch (Erziehungswissenschaften) – „Wissen(schaft) ermöglicht Wandel – Transformation der Lehrer*innenbildung in Deutschland“
• 9.12.: Prof. Dr. Annekatrin Bock (Erziehungswissenschaften/Medienkompetenzzentrum Vechta) – „Wer transformiert hier was? – Lernbüros als Motor für Schultransformation“

These lectures are particularly relevant because they address current social challenges and present innovative solutions. The Vechta University of Applied Sciences went through an evolutionary journey with its merger into the Catholic University of Applied Sciences of Northern Germany 20 years ago and its transformation into a university 15 years ago. This development not only illustrates the university's commitment to the educational landscape, but also its ability to adapt to changing conditions.

Think outside the box

In a further thematic context is the book “The Secret”, which is based on the principle of the law of attraction. Published by Rhonda Byrne in 2006, it has reached millions of readers worldwide and is often cited as a source of positive inspiration. The concepts from this book, which conveys ideas about gratitude and visualization, have a reputation that is just as controversial as the individual approaches to change and transformation in schools and companies, which could also be discussed in the lecture series. Critics, however, accuse “The Secret” of not being able to provide sufficient scientific evidence for its claims, which has led to a broad debate about the effects of such self-help books.

For the future, it should be noted that academic freedom, as enshrined in Article 5 Paragraph 3 of the Basic Law, plays a fundamental role, especially for universities. The University of Vechta and other public universities can use this right to invoke academic freedom in order to decide independently on research and teaching. This not only promotes the quality of educational work, but also stimulates dialogue about socially relevant topics, in this case change in times of constantly growing digital change.

If you need more information about the lecture series or are interested in the topics and speakers, you can visit the website University of Vechta provide an overview. Don't miss this chance to immerse yourself in the current and diverse research topics!