History of the University

Image: Universität Kassel

Predecessor facilities

In 1971, the following predecessor institutions were integrated into the Gesamthochschule Kassel.

  • The Higher Technical College for Social Work in Fürstenhagen
  • State Higher Business College
  • German Engineering School for Foreign Agriculture
  • Max-Eyth-Schule, School of Engineering for Agriculture, Witzenhausen
  • State engineering school for mechanical engineering
  • State Engineering School for Civil Engineering
  • Pedagogical Institute
  • State College of Fine Arts
  • State School of Arts and Crafts
  • Work Academy Kassel

Kassel University of Applied Sciences (GhK)

Image: UniArchiv Kassel

In 1970, the Hessian state government decides to establish the first comprehensive university in Germany in Kassel. On June 24, 1970, the state parliament passes the law on the establishment of the comprehensive university in Kassel. Minister of Education Ludwig von Friedeburg appoints the "Kassel Comprehensive University Project Group" with seven full-time planners and appoints the founding advisory board. On 26 October, the Kassel Comprehensive University opens its doors to 2913 students for the 1971/72 wintersemester. The reformed "Kassel Model" envisaged tiered courses of study, an opening of the universities, interdisciplinary work and more practical relevance.

 

University of Kassel

In 1993, the Convention decides on the name "Universität Gesamthochschule Kassel" as a compromise between the profile as a research institution and the reform idea of the comprehensive university. In the same year, the GhK is accepted into the German Research Foundation. It has borne its current name "University of Kassel" since 2002. In its resolution, the University Senate also declares that the University of Kassel will maintain its profile as an innovative reform university.

Public

The journal, which is still being published, forms a good source basis for research into the history of Kassel University. Older issues are available on KOBRA.

Virtual exhibition

If you are interested in topics such as the founding of the Gesamthochschule, the Kassel model, the beginnings of the sustainability profile or the stroll sciences, you will find selected sources in an exhibition put online to mark the 50th anniversary: