For three years, htw saar and the Protestant welfare organization Diakonie Saar worked closely together on the "FutureProf@htw saar" project. During this time, junior professor Dr. Sebastian Rahn gained the professional experience required for a professorship at a university of applied sciences. At the same time, the project brought research, teaching, and practice closer together. "FutureProf shows how consistently we interlink science and practice – to the benefit of the university, cooperation partners, and students. Solid professional experience is indispensable, especially for a professorship at a university of applied sciences. Programs such as FutureProf make it possible to build up this experience in a targeted manner and, at the same time, to deepen the cooperation between htw saar and strong partners in the region in the long term," says Prof. Dr. Thomas Bousonville, Vice President for Studies, International Affairs, and Sustainability at htw saar.
"The practical work in conjunction with science and teaching was a great enrichment," says Dr. Sebastian Rahn, summarizing the last three years. "At Diakonie, the employees responded very positively to my specific role. This high level of acceptance enabled me to repeatedly contribute valuable ideas to day-to-day business. At the same time, I learned a lot about the practical work of a complex organization, which I will use as a valuable source of experience for my future academic career."
Practice as a catalyst for research and teaching
At htw saar, Rahn took on independent teaching assignments, established a research focus, and participated in a qualification program. Practical experience strengthens research and teaching: it sharpens the eye for real-world problems, provides practical research questions, and makes teaching content clear and application-oriented. Students benefit from concrete examples and current challenges from professional practice. Research gains relevance because it is oriented toward actual needs. A great enrichment for the structural and technical work of Diakonie Saar Diakonie Saar gave Rahn insights into the administrative structure and fields of social work. He participated in the planning, implementation, and support of specialist conferences and, together with the specialist departments, analyzed their processes, strategies, and services. A specially created monthly podcast addressed social work issues for all employees. Rahn also collaborated on the mission statement process, contributed to the policy paper on inclusion, and supported the "Diakonie and Community" strategy workshop. "His goal-oriented input enriched our work, both in his support of the specialist departments and the management," says Managing Director Matthias Ewelt, looking back on Rahn's work. "His professional moderation of the symposiums on our 100th anniversary and his support for our forum at the Social Welfare State Congress were truly inspiring." Ewelt expresses his gratitude for the cooperation and emphasizes the strengthened connection to htw saar.
Saarland has grown dear to my heart
Sebastian Rahn is delighted with the benefits he himself has gained from participating in the project: "I gained exciting insights into social work, which is shaped by a wide variety of actors. It is not only the needs of the target groups that determine the services and measures offered; financing and politics also set the direction and framework. This constantly presents challenges for management and employees." That is why his current research and teaching activities focus on the structural and organizational framework conditions in which social work is carried out. In addition, the project has enabled him to sharpen his academic and practical profile. "I have grown fond of Saarland and am now looking forward to working as a HAW professor. I will never forget my time at Diakonie."