The Center of Key Competence

Dr. Elisabeth Zuber-Knost
Press Officer

Kaiserstraße 12
76131 Karlsruhe, Germany
Phone: +49 721/608-2089
Fax: +49 721/608-3658

In a global, rapidly changing knowledge society, expert knowledge alone is no longer sufficient. Whoever wishes to be successful, needs further competences. To convey them, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is establishing a Center of Key Competence: the House of Competence (HoC). On Wednesday, November 14, it will be opened by a ceremonial act.

For details, please contact:

Press and Communication
Universität Karlsruhe (TH)

Klaus Rümmele
Phone: +49 721 608-8153
E-mail

The HoC is aimed at integrating the acquisition of key competences in lecturing and studies. For this purpose, it develops concepts as to how study courses may be enriched with interdisciplinary information. “This means values added for the students”, says Dr. Michael Stolle, director of the HoC.

The HoC will also promote the development of advanced training programs at the KIT. “We develop interdisciplinary offers for students, staff members, and external customers”, states Stolle. For this reason, cooperation with the Fortbildungszentrum für Technik und Umwelt (FTU, Center for Advanced Technological and Environmental Training) of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe shall be enhanced systematically in the next years.

Interdisciplinary research groups of the HoC will consider new scientific approaches. Aspects of psychology, educational, cultural, social, and sports sciences as well as engineering sciences will be taken into account. The HoC acts like a bridge between the disciplines, explains Stolle: “This results in innovative qualification opportunities.” Research focuses on the teaching and learning of individuals and in organizations or on the cognitive acquisition of competence by motion. An example is the Body and Mind Coach research group that has now taken up work under the HoC. It is the objective of this research group to develop a virtual coach on the basis of electronic companions.

The HoC is founded by the Universität Karlsruhe and the Ministry of Science, Research, and Art of the state of Baden-Württemberg. It is part of the cooperation of the university with the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe under KIT and involves many strong partners: The Center for Correspondence Courses, the Research Center for School Sports and the Sports of Children and Young People (FoSS), kwww – Scientific Advanced Training at the Universität Karlsruhe (TH), the Language Center, ZAK | Center for Applied Cultural Science and Studium Generale, the Institute for Professional Pedagogics, the Institute for Sports and Sports Science, the Chair of Pedagogic Psychology, and the Chair of Sociology.

The HoC will be opened by a

Ceremonial Act

on Wednesday, November 14, 3 to 6 p.m.,

at the Engesser-Hörsaal

(room 305, Altes Bauingenieurgebäude, Otto-Ammann-Platz 1, building no. 10.81).

Journalists are invited to inform themselves about the objectives and approaches pursued by the HoC at a

Meeting with the press

on Wednesday, November 14, 2 p.m.,

in the library of the Altes Bauingenieurgebäude.

Program of the Ceremonial Act:

Welcome Address
Professor Dr. Jürgen Becker (Pro-rector for Studies and Lecturing)

Address
Ministerialdirektor Julian Würtenberger (Ministry of Science, Research, and Art, Baden-Württemberg)

House of Competence – Paths and Visions
Dr. Michael Stolle (Director of the House of Competence)

Key Competences from the Point of View of Industry
Professor Götz W. Werner (Founder and Managing Partner of dm-drogerie markt; Head of the Interfaculty Institute for Entrepreneurship)

From Observation to Definition. A Sociological Analysis of “Organization Competence”
Professor Dr. Michaela Pfadenhauer (Professor of Sociology with special consideration of the acquisition of competence, Institute for Sociology)

Competence: Definitions and Empirical Findings from Pedagogical Psychology
Professor Dr. Stefan Fries (Professor of Pedagogical Psychology, Institute for General Pedagogics and Professional Pedagogics)

Please answer by November 12! Fax: +49 (0) 721/608-3658

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The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) represents the merger of the Universität Karlsruhe with the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. Altogether, it has 8000 employees and an annual budget of 600 million Euros. In the KIT, both partners are bundling their scientific competences and capacities, establishing optimum research structures, and developing joint strategies and visions.

The KIT will be an institution of internationally excellent research and lecturing in natural and engineering sciences. KIT shall attract the best experts from all over the world, set new standards in lecturing and promotion of young scientists, and establish the leading European center in the field of energy research. KIT will assume a leading role in nanosciences worldwide. It is the objective of KIT to be one of the most important cooperation partners of industry.