OTH Regensburg has long been teaching more than just traditional subject knowledge. In many areas, the so-called future skills that young people need to act confidently, creatively and responsibly in a changing world have already found their way into the curriculum.
Now, the university is repositioning itself with the ‘OTHorizont’ project. ‘This project is a real milestone for our university,’ says Prof. Dr Birgit Rösel, Vice President for Studies and Teaching. "We are restructuring teaching so that it prepares students not only for their careers, but also for the future. OTHorizont is our promise to students: we will give you the tools you need to not only cope with change, but to help shape it yourself."
At the heart of ‘OTHorizont’ is the development of a new teaching architecture that encourages students to think beyond their own field of expertise and gives them space to try things out. Courses are more closely networked, cross-faculty modules enable interdisciplinary learning, and new formats bring current issues directly into the lecture hall. This creates a learning culture that focuses not on rigid knowledge transfer, but on creativity, cooperation and personal responsibility.
Thinking critically, acting ethically, helping to shape democracy
An important component is the teaching of future skills, i.e. those skills that will be indispensable in the working and living world of tomorrow. These include digital sovereignty and the reflective use of artificial intelligence, as well as critical thinking, problem-solving skills, innovation and teamwork. Self-organisation, resilience and ethical responsibility also play a central role. The aim is to equip students to deal confidently with uncertainty, help shape social developments and develop sustainable solutions.
‘With OTHorizont, we are taking the opportunity to rethink our teaching,’ explains Prof. Dr. Thomas Kriza, who is leading the project. ‘We want to create a cross-faculty university culture that inspires, motivates and gives people the courage to try new things. At OTH Regensburg, students should not only acquire specialist knowledge but also develop their personalities: they should flourish and realise their potential as active shapers of a changing world and as free, self-determined members of democratic societies.’
A team success that benefits everyone
The project is funded with 4.8 million euros by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education as part of the ‘Teaching Architecture’ call for proposals and will initially run for four years with the possibility of an extension until 2031. At a kick-off workshop, the project team and other experts from the faculties and institutions such as the Teaching and Didactics Service Centre and Human Resources Development will refine the content focus. ‘OTHorizont is a real team success that will benefit both students and the university as a whole in the long term,’ explains Prof. Dr. Thomas Kriza.
A specially created Centre for Interdisciplinary Teaching (ZiL) will bundle the offerings, make them visible and anchor them permanently in the university. Accompanying platforms will be set up to connect teachers and students and enable new forms of cross-faculty collaboration.
With OTHorizont, OTH Regensburg is sending a strong signal: the university does not see education as a rigid system, but as a dynamic process that enables students to become active shapers of a sustainable, digital and socially responsible future.
