Freie Universitaet Berlin: International, Part-Time Continuing Education Program at Freie Universität Berlin Expands Its Course Offerings
The international, part-time Continuing Education Program (FUB-ContinuEd) at Freie Universität Berlin has expanded its portfolio with additional online certificate courses. In addition to established and popular course topics such as diversity management and sustainability, participants can now also develop their communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills in new courses. The program is designed for people from all fields, especially (junior) managers and people working in an international context. Participants gain training in critical thinking, emotional intelligence, negotiation, team and leadership skills, and mindfulness in communication with their colleagues and superiors.
The international certificate courses are aimed at people who want to supplement their professional qualifications with practical skills in an increasingly globalized working environment. The practical applicability of the content has a high priority in the program. In addition to imparting knowledge, the expanded course offerings provide participants with methodological competencies that are relevant to any professional context. How can people establish a constructive and appreciative learning culture in their organizations? How can employees best deal with complex challenges at work and create the conditions necessary for successful project-based work in a multi-stakeholder context? How might people in leadership positions inspire others through storytelling, communicate their vision, and foster cultural diversity? The new part-time online certificate courses “Feedback and Leadership,” “Problem-Solving Skills for Multi-Stakeholder Challenges,” and “Storytelling for Leaders Working across Cultures” aim to empower people in the professional world to answer these pressing questions.
Courses on “Diversity Management,” “Global Sustainability Challenges,” and “Academic Writing in German” will remain part of the FUB-ContinuEd program. The first term, which started in January and will be concluding shortly, was met with positive feedback. “It’s fulfilling to see the commitment and interest in changing perspectives that learners show in the live sessions,” says Dr. Kristina Rödder, program director of FUB-ContinuEd. “The internationality of the courses is at the core of our program and makes the exchange of experiences among participants an enriching part of the learning that takes place here.” Yushu Soon, a participant in the course “Academic Writing in German,” says of her experience in the group, “Our lecturer led the course with great dedication and sensitivity. Her constructive and encouraging feedback helped me a lot. In the stimulating discussions, I could really sense the motivation and passion of my fellow participants for their areas of interest and the German language.”
Registration for Summer and Fall 2022 is now open on the program website. The fee-based courses last nine weeks and consist of online live sessions and self-study phases with reading assignments and group or individual work. They are suitable for continuing education while working, in between jobs, or in combination with a degree program. Because the courses are all online, they are also well suited for participants with limited physical mobility. The courses take place at different times, allowing people from many time zones to participate. Participants should be familiar with the demands of academic study and be accustomed to seeking solutions to practical problems independently or in teams. An advanced level of proficiency in the course language is a prerequisite. Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a certificate from Freie Universität Berlin.