From children's deacon to professor and Vice-Rector of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences: Prof. Dr. Susanne Borkowski had to overcome many hurdles. Due to the political circumstances in the GDR, she was unable to complete her A-levels and instead opted for an apprenticeship and later a degree in Applied Childhood Sciences.
A bold start to the future
At school, Susanne Borkowski wanted to become a math and chemistry teacher. But the current Vice-Rector for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences was denied this path. “Because I was neither in the FDJ (editor's note: the former GDR youth organization Freie Deutsche Jugend) nor had a Jugendweihe, it was relatively clear that I wouldn't be able to do an Abitur,” she says about her original plans after school. Instead, she decided to train as a children's deacon at the Protestant church. But not everyone around her could understand this decision. “At one point, a teacher told me how I could squander my talent like that?” She couldn't understand this, as she saw a purpose in this activity.
If anything, this statement encouraged her to go her own way: After her recognition year, she became a state-approved nursery school teacher. In this role, she started working at the Protestant kindergarten in Stendal in 1992 and even took over the management in 1995. “I really enjoyed what I was doing, but it wasn't an Abitur.”
That's what I do!
Susanne Borkowski is happy with her work at the daycare center, but the desire to do something different remains constant. Until the “Applied Childhood Sciences” course at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences was introduced in 2005. All the institutions near the campus in Stendal were invited to offer internships for students. Susanne Borkowski was immediately hooked. When she got home that evening, she said to her husband: 'I'll do it! I'm studying childhood sciences in Stendal. As a mother, it wasn't always easy for the current Professor of Child Development and Health at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences to juggle full-time studies and work as a daycare center manager. “It wouldn't have been possible without family support.” Especially when it came to academic work, her husband had her back.
Many study opportunities without A-levels
Only around 2.9 percent of current students come to university without an Abitur - because the many paths to their dream degree are broad, but some of them are still unknown. “We now have so many different ways to get into university that go beyond the traditional university entrance qualification, the Abitur. Many admission routes are not yet so widespread or well-known. That's why those interested should definitely seek advice,” says Borkowski. In addition to the Fachhochschulreife, it is also possible to study at the university via the recognition of a professional qualification and via an entrance examination for working people. Prof. Dr. Susanne Borkowski is particularly keen to provide information about these routes and to give her own advice in relation to her personal qualifications. As the current Vice-Rector at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and therefore a member of the university management, these processes are part of her remit and she is very happy to be involved in these study entry requirements.
“I really enjoyed studying,” says the professor looking back. At the university, she appreciates the informal atmosphere, the involvement of the students and the direct contact between lecturers and students. She is now getting to know this interaction from a different perspective. “It's a privilege to be able to do this.”
Impressive career path
From 2012 to 2015, she completed her Master's degree while working and then went on to complete her doctorate at the Institute of Medical Sociology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. During this time, a deputy professorship was advertised at “her” Faculty of Applied Human Sciences in Stendal, which she took on half-time after completing her doctorate and then full-time from 2020. She hands over the management of the university's affiliated institute “KinderStärken e.V.”, which she had previously held for ten years, and has been Chairwoman of the Board ever since. In September 2022, she took on even more responsibility for Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and was elected Vice-Rector for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs. She remains in contact with students and teaching staff, so as a professor and colleague she can incorporate the needs of studying and teaching into university policy and strategic processes.
Some of her teachers at the time approached her and apologized for closing off a path to education. “I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't done it that way,” says Susanne Borkowski and continues: ”It was a good thing, with all its stages. It was more strenuous to study like that and certainly not always easy, but it was a good thing.” Today, she wants to make the path to university easier by exhausting all possibilities within the legal framework. Susanne Borkowski encourages people to take this path.
Photo: Freddy Cazja