History of our university

Origin

In 1821, forestry education was established at Berlin University by the forestry scientist Wilhelm Pfeil. Nine years later, however, he came to the conclusion that forestry science could not be successfully taught and learned without a teaching forest.

With the support of Alexander von Humboldt, then advisor to the Ministry of Finance, the "Höhere Forst Lehranstalt" (Higher Forestry School) was finally relocated to Eberswalde. In the years that followed, it developed into an internationally recognised centre for forestry, wood and soil sciences.

Names such as Adam Schwappach and Alfred Dengler had a major influence on the disciplines. In particular, the location and sustainability of forest management have always been central themes.

Eberswalde Forestry Academy

In 1866, Bernhard Danckelmann took over as head of the educational institution. Under his leadership, it was renamed the "Forestry Academy" and gained international renown. His successor, Alfred Möller, also contributed to the academy's development by extending the duration of studies and constructing a new library and administration building.

Closure of the academy

During the war years, teaching and research activities were only maintained on a makeshift basis. At the end of the war, Professor Johannes Schubert showed great commitment and negotiating skills in his efforts to restart teaching activities.

However, the ruling party and government of the GDR brought this to an abrupt end in 1963. Despite its positive post-war development, the Eberswalde faculty was closed without replacement. It was only after the political change that restructuring took place.

Reestablishment

On 1 April 1992, it was finally re-established as the Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences. Since then, the range of courses on offer has been steadily expanding. Particular attention is paid to sustainability in teaching and research. This development was reflected in the renaming of the university in 2010 to the University of Applied Sciences for Sustainable Development (FH). Since 2015, the abbreviation (FH) has no longer been included in the official name.

Chronicle of the HNEE

Reappraisal of university history

Academic clear-cutting

Im August 1962 wurde die Schließung der Forstwirtschaftlichen Fakultät Eberswalde der Humboldt-Universität aus politischen Gründen angeordnet.

 

Zum 1. September 1963 wurde der Lehrbetrieb nach mehr als 130 Jahren eingestellt. Das unwiderrufliche Aus für einen renommierten und traditionsreichen Ort der forstlichen Lehre und Forschung. Offiziell erfolgte die Auflösung aus Gründen der Konzentration und Vereinfachung der Hochschulausbildung. Doch die ökonomischen Argumente, mit denen von Oben die Fakultätsschließung begründet wurde, waren vorgeschoben. Einer der entscheidenden Vorwürfe lautete: "… wegen mangelhafter politischer Erziehung".

 

Die Ursachen und Hintergründe, der Verlauf sowie die Folgen der Fakultätsschließung wurden seit Beginn des Jahres 2013 wissenschaftlich aufgearbeitet. Das Buch "Akademischer Kahlschlag" ist im Jahr 2022 erschienen und kann in der Hochschulbibliothek ausgeliehen oder im Buchhandel erworben werden.

 

Das Historienprojekt wurde gefördert von: Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur; Ostdeutscher Sparkassenverband und Sparkasse Barnim.

Ein Buchcover zum Buch Akademischer Kahlschlag