Teaching Award 2024 goes to Prof Dr Barbara Kleine-Kalmer

Honoured for diversity of methods and creating an inspiring learning environment

Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and the Verein zur Förderung der Hochschule Bremerhaven e.V. have presented the Teaching Award 2024 to Prof Dr Barbara Kleine-Kalmer. The Professor of Business Administration in the Food Industry received the award for her outstanding teaching methods at the graduation ceremony. "I am very honoured and delighted to receive this award. I would like to thank the students from the bottom of my heart for their commitment and positive feedback, which motivates me to give my best every day. I would also like to thank the jury and the sponsorship organisation for this fantastic prize," says the prizewinner.

Prof. Dr Kleine-Kalmer has been a professor at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences since March 2022 and currently teaches on the Bachelor's degree programmes in Food Technology/Food Business, Food Technology/Food Business integrated with practical work and Business Administration, as well as on the Master's degree programme in Food Technology. She is also a member of the Faculty Council of Faculty 1 and has been involved as Decentralised Women's Representative since the current summer semester.

"The student reviews and the teaching concepts submitted by Prof Dr Barbara Kleine-Kalmer convinced us of the great variety of methods and above-average commitment. She has impressively succeeded in establishing a direct feedback culture and reflection for the students, which generates significant added value, particularly for the all-important transfer of learning, but also for the individual personal development of our students," said Prof Dr Patrick Frohberg, Vice-Rector for Teaching and Student Services, explaining the selection committee's decision.

Prof. Kleine-Kalmer has geared her courses towards dialogue, interactivity, discussion at eye level, reflection and practical transfer. In this way, she promotes the acquisition of language skills in English-language seminars. Her teaching methods enable students to explore and prepare scientific concepts and theories themselves and improve their presentation skills. This is complemented by the transfer to real practical cases and the use of guest lecturers from the business world.

In addition to the variety of methods, the student reviews praise the creation of a lively, inspiring and practical teaching environment, the ability of her professor to pick up all students at their individual learning and knowledge levels and to inspire them for "dry" topics, as well as the proactive involvement of students in the teaching content. She is "a charismatic and motivating personality who creates a productive learning atmosphere with great enthusiasm, in which she succeeds in actively strengthening and promoting the personal development of the students." In addition to the specialised content, she imparts valuable skills that go beyond pure specialist knowledge. These additional skills are invaluable for personal development and are excellent preparation for future professional challenges.

Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and the Verein zur Förderung der Hochschule Bremerhaven e.V. present the Teaching Award for excellent teaching every year. The prize is endowed with 1,000 euros.