German Society for Scientific Further Education and Distance Learning
The German Society for Scientific Further Education and Distance Learning eV (DGWF) is an association with over 325 institutional and personal members from universities and further education institutions. In addition to the members from Germany, around 15 members from other European countries, in particular from Austria and Switzerland, are involved.
The statutory purpose of the DGWF, which is recognized as non-profit, is the promotion, coordination and representation of further education and distance learning carried out by universities - universities, technical colleges and university associations . This also includes the promotion of research and teaching in these areas.
Recently, the role of the new media in higher education and distance learning as well as lifelong learning have also been the focus of the work of the DGWF. The DGWF is a member of the European University Continuing Education Network (EUCEN).
In addition to eight regionally networking state groups, the DGWF also comprises four working groups in which the members are involved depending on their main interests:
- Working group of institutions for further education at universities (AG-E)
- Working group for distance learning at universities (AG-F)
- Federal Working Group on Scientific Further Education for Older People (BAG WiWA)
- Research Working Group (AG Research)
The current chair is Gabriele Vierzigmann, University of Applied Sciences, Munich.
history
The constituent meeting of the “University Adult Education Working Group” took place on January 6, 1968, and on July 20, 1971 the AUE was entered as a non-profit association in the register of associations at the Hanover District Court. Werner Schneider was elected as chairman of the AUE.
In 2003 the general assembly decided to rename the AUE to DGWF in order to take into account the developments in the field of higher education further education.