Guest Student Studies Program at University of Mannheim Offers History, German Studies, and Brain Training
In the winter semester of 1983, the first 35 senior citizens entered the lecture halls of the baroque palace. Today, around 400 people take part in the guest student program every year. Whether lectures in business ethics and political sociology or seminars in practical philosophy or Shakespeare’s comedies – the choice for guest students at the University of Mannheim is large. Around 250 events from all departments are offered every semester. There are also special offers in art history, theology and theater studies, for example.
The 40th anniversary of the guest student program was celebrated with a celebratory event at the end of April. Around 140 guests attended the event in the auditorium: current and former participants in the program, lecturers, companions. Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schmidt-Hertha from the LMU Munich gave a lecture on academic continuing education in the second half of life. A panel discussion recalled the beginnings of the guest student program, showed its development and developed perspectives for the future. On the panel were Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Freitag, Dr. Rosmarie Günther and Dr. Dorothee Höfert, who work as lecturers in the guest student program, as well as the participants in the program Christa Petermann and Hans Uhrig. An exhibition from the university archive on the history of the guest student program rounded off the event.
Originally set up as a senior citizen course, the character and focus of the program have expanded significantly over the years. “Lifelong learning is now understood to mean continuing education throughout one’s entire life. Although the majority of participants are over 60 years old due to greater flexibility in their time, the cross-generational framework also offers younger people the opportunity to participate,” explains Doris Lechner, who has been responsible for coordinating the program since 2007. “The program is aimed at anyone who is interested – regardless of education, background and age.”