A change at the top of h2

Education, Participation and International Engagement

A change in leadership took place not only in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, but also at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (h2), which is home to the GJU Project Office. The change in leadership was officially marked during a ceremonial handover: the outgoing Rector, Prof. Dr Manuela Schwartz, formally handed over the reins to her successor, Prof. Dr Suanne Borkowski.

The Minister for Science of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, Prof. Dr Armin Willingmann, had appointed the social scientist and former Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Teaching and International Relations at h2 as Rector on 1 September 2026 for the next four years. “From nursery teacher to rector – Susanne Borkowski’s career path shows that passion and lifelong learning pay off,” said Willingmann on the occasion of the appointment.

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Two sentences on the wall

During the ceremonial handover, two sentences were projected onto the wall:

“Human dignity shall be inviolable.”

“Art and science, research and teaching shall be free. Freedom of teaching does not exempt one from loyalty to the Constitution.”

Willingmann asked why two sentences from our Basic Law, which are generally taken for granted, had been placed so clearly at the centre of attention here. The answer is obvious: precisely because they should be taken for granted, they must be constantly brought to mind and upheld.

Willingmann said he had listened to Borkowski’s interview on MDR and had gained the impression that she was setting the right goals. He particularly emphasised how important participation is in order to get everyone on board.

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Education is not a one-way street

According to MDR, East Germans account for 12.1 per cent of those in top positions (as of 2024). There are currently twelve vice-chancellors with an East German background at Germany’s 81 universities. Susanne Borkowski, the vice-chancellor of h2, is now one of them.

Susanne Borkowski knows from her own experience that educational pathways do not always follow a straight line: Throughout her professional life, she has had to contend with adverse circumstances – such as initially being denied the opportunity to take her Abitur in the GDR. She is particularly keen to highlight that studying at a university is still possible. She is also committed to greater knowledge transfer: insights from the university should be brought more widely into society. Participation and internationalisation should not remain mere buzzwords in this context.

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Continuity and international partnership

During her term of office, Prof. Dr Manuela Schwartz also worked to make the university more diverse and international. She revealed at the handover ceremony that she is always particularly delighted when – as was the case this week – she is able to welcome students from abroad to the university. She welcomed students from the first cohort of the Nursing degree programme at the German Jordanian University (GJU).

“The close partnership with Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences has been indispensable to the German Jordanian University since its foundation over 20 years ago. The Rector plays a crucial role in this regard. The GJU therefore considers itself fortunate to have enjoyed many years of trusting cooperation with the outgoing Rector, Prof. Dr Manuela Schwartz, and looks forward with confidence to the future under the leadership of Rector Prof. Dr Susanne Borkowski,” explained Prof. Dr Ralf Roßkopf, Vice-President for International Affairs at the GJU.

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A tree as a Symbol

As a symbol of a mirabelle plum tree, Manuela Schwartz was presented with a stele by the new Vice-Chancellor, on behalf of the entire Vice-Chancellor’s Office – a symbol of the future tree. The landscaping and design of the campus were particularly close to Schwartz’s heart.

It is not just the tree that will remain: her commitment to democracy, academic freedom and internationalisation, as well as her sustained work as head of the GJU Project Office – through which she has shaped and further developed German-Jordanian cooperation over many years – will leave a lasting legacy.

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photo:
Lisa Westphal (GJU-Projektbüro), Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz, Prof. Dr. Suanne Borkowski, Prof. Dr. Ralf Roßkopf