HWG LU celebrates the 10th anniversary of the dual training-integrated midwifery degree program and the successful launch of the dual practice-integrated midwifery science degree program. Health Minister Clemens Hoch: "Paradigm shift between vocational and academic training"
On Thursday, 23 September 2021, there were two reasons to celebrate at Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU): firstly, the tenth anniversary of the dual degree program in midwifery, which was the second training-integrated midwifery degree program in Germany to be successfully launched in 2011 and plays a pioneering role in the academization of the midwifery profession. Secondly, the birth of the new dual practice-integrated degree programs in midwifery science in the winter semester 2021/2022, which takes into account the changed political and legal framework conditions following the entry into force of the new Midwifery Act in 2019.
Clemens Hoch, Minister of Science and Health of Rhineland-Palatinate, delivered the state's greeting and praised the pioneering role that Ludwigshafen has taken on in the academization of the profession through the early establishment of the midwifery degree program as well as the conception of the new "Midwifery Science" degree program. The results of the Accreditation Council clearly showed "what a well thought-out study concept we have here", said the Minister. "The academization of the healthcare professions is one of the biggest challenges in Germany. All the better that we have Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences at our side. We know that we can rely on its experience in education and practice-oriented research and also on its established 'community', its strong network with practice partners in the state and in Baden-Württemberg. These are clinics that have many years of profound experience in midwifery training," said the Minister.
Ulrike Geppert-Orthofer, Chairwoman of the German Midwifery Association, was also full of praise for the development of the young academic discipline of midwifery/midwifery science in Ludwigshafen in her speech: "As Chairwoman of the Baden-Württemberg state association at the time, I observed the developments in Rhineland-Palatinate with great interest. As a university, you were involved at an early stage and with both degree programs you have an excellent offering at the university. You are on the right track," said Ulrike Geppert-Orthofer. The academization of the profession was long overdue and an important step: "It strengthens the profession, the interdisciplinary exchange at eye level and is a way out of the educational dead end of the midwifery profession." As Chairwoman of the German Midwives' Association, she also hopes that academization will increase demand for midwives and obstetricians and thus provide a positive boost in times of a shortage of skilled workers.
The question of what significance the academization of midwives has for obstetric practice was then discussed on the podium: Student Theresia Collmer, Marielle Pommereau, graduate of the first year of midwifery, and graduate Marie-Luise Israel with more than 20 years of professional experience in obstetrics agree: Academization is right and important. "Reflecting scientifically on practical midwifery work, critically questioning one's own actions or traditional practices and being able to incorporate current studies complements the very good practical training in Germany. The scientific basis gives me a sense of security," says Collmer, who is about to complete her degree. "Academization helps to bundle professional skills and to be heard more politically and socially," says Marielle Pommereau with conviction. Being able to set your own guidelines and establish practice-oriented research from the perspective of midwives for the benefit of women, families and children are further reasons for academizing the profession. The three are not afraid that academization could lead to a lack of practical experience - on the contrary: the proportion of practical experience in the delivery room, in birth centers and with freelance midwives is even greater than before; only the practical hours in other hospital departments have been reduced.
In the concluding keynote speech "Retroperspective and perspective - midwifery studies in Rhineland-Palatinate", Prof. Nina Knape, Head of the Midwifery and Midwifery Science degree programme, shed light on the path from the "nucleus of academization" at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences in 2008 to the beginnings in Ludwigshafen and the present day. "In 2011, Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences was the second university in Germany to embark on the adventure of academization without having a midwifery professorship," she recalls. However, the commitment of professors from other disciplines - Prof. Dr. Eveline Häusler from Health Economics, Prof. Dr. Karin Kersting from Nursing Sciences and the then Dean Prof. Dr. Hans Ebli from Social Work - as well as the midwifery schools and practice partners helped to develop the new degree programs, which then became very well established thanks to the deputy professor Christine Allgeier despite "a few teething troubles". The last cohort of the degree programs will start in the current winter semester 2021/2022 with 32 students. At the same time, 46 first-year students will also start the new, primary qualifying degree program in Midwifery Science, which is therefore at full capacity. Thanks to the support of the Ministry and the now "solid framework conditions", the team led by Prof. Dr. Nina Knape has grown considerably and the financing and furnishing of a 900m2 area in the Postbank as a skills lab have also been secured.
"We would like to thank the Ministry as well as the numerous cooperation partners for their support on this exciting and so far very good path," summarized University President Prof. Dr. Peter Mudra in his welcoming address. "After only 10 years, the Bachelor's degree course in Midwifery has itself given birth to a child: the Bachelor's degree course in Midwifery Science," pointed out Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Dallmann, Dean of the Department of Social and Health Care, adding: "You are pioneers - not only within the discipline, but for the academization of the health professions as a whole!"
The ceremony was accompanied by wonderful music from Luca Sestak, pianist, singer, songwriter and graduate of the Mannheim Pop Academy. Agnes Maier, award-winning slam poet and midwife from Graz, brought art and comedy into the academic world with her lyrical and poignant comments from the world of obstetrics. The evening was charmingly hosted by Prof. Dr. Monika Greening.
Professional contact:
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society
Department of Social and Health Care
Prof. Nina Knape
Head of BA Midwifery and BA Midwifery Science
Tel. 0621/5203- 574
Email: nina.knape@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 hwg-lu.de
