30 years - a successful journey in continuing education
Since its foundation in 1995, ZEW has established itself as a permanent fixture in the continuing education landscape. From the first part-time courses to modern blended learning formats, the range of courses on offer today covers a broad spectrum: certificate courses, seminars, in-house training and customised programmes for companies. Over 300 seminar days are organised each year, benefiting more than 700 participants - with a recommendation rate of over 90 per cent.

"ZEW has been a strong partner for our region and beyond for three decades. It shows how universities can take responsibility - not only for students at the beginning of their education, but for people at all stages of their lives and careers. I would like to congratulate them on their 30th anniversary and thank all employees, participants and partners who have made this success story possible," emphasises Prof. Dr Eva Schmitt-Rodermund, President of the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.

Academic continuing education with substance - for people in practice
In addition to its undergraduate degree programmes, the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences offers a diverse programme of academic continuing education. The programme is interdisciplinary and covers topics from society, education, culture, design, technology and management.
"Our continuing education programmes are aimed at people at very different stages of their lives and careers. Whether individual courses, certificate programmes or tailor-made qualifications - we create spaces in which specialists and managers can expand their skills in a targeted manner and strengthen their professional repertoire. Our aim is to offer academic continuing education with substance: scientifically sound, application-orientated and with its finger on the pulse of current social challenges. We combine the expertise of our departments with the knowledge of experienced practitioners and make continuing education a real factor for the future," explains Mustafa Turna, Head of the Central Institution for Continuing Education.
The Central Institution for Continuing Education has been coordinating the entire organisation since 1995 - from development and marketing to implementation and administration. Its structural principle is: decentralised specialist responsibility, centralised organisation. In this way, it combines scientific excellence with efficient implementation and ensures sustainable learning processes.

Anniversary year with special offers
To mark the anniversary, participants benefit from an anniversary discount of 5 per cent on all continuing education courses for the entire month of September - a thank you to all those who are taking the path of lifelong learning with ZEW.

The anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, look back and look ahead:

• Insights into the history and milestones of ZEW
• Discussion rounds on future skills and lifelong learning
• Networking opportunities with lecturers, alumni and partners
• Inauguration of a newly planted anniversary tree, to which good wishes for the future were tied

Looking to the future
Potsdam University of Applied Sciences sees continuing education as a third core task alongside teaching and research. In the future, the university is to act even more strongly as a lifelong educational companion: Continuing education should not only take place selectively, but should gradually lead to degrees and thus support career paths in the long term. 
With this orientation, ZEW is helping to position the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences as a driving force for professional and social issues of the future - both regionally and nationally.

Further information: /studium-weiterbildung/weiterbildung/ueber-uns-30-jahre-zew