With their signatures, Ferrero, CSL Behring, and Philipps University of Marburg formalized their partnership with the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School. All three secured a quota of spots at the school, which will open for the 2019–20 school year.
“It’s a sign of the utmost trust,” said Egon Vaupel, chairman of the Schulverein Steinmühle support association, expressing his delight and describing it as an “emotional moment.” About eight years had passed since the first discussions between the school and industry, and now, guided by a clear vision but also through a great deal of hard work and perseverance, they had reached their goal and were able to offer an international track.
Company representatives Karl-Heinz Feußner (Ferrero), Tanja Templer (CSL Behring), and Prof. Dr. Michael Bölker of Philipps University of Marburg unanimously described this development as a “decisive competitive and locational advantage.” Karl-Heinz Feußner explained: “In our company alone, we have employees from 50 different countries. So it’s a crucial factor to be able to offer existing or future employees an international education for their children.”
Both the company and the university benefit because employees’ children are either prepared for life abroad through instruction in both German and English, or—if they come from abroad—find that the school’s academic standards match their own. “This ensures the attractiveness of our location,” says Tanja Templer (CSL Behring) with conviction, adding: “The success of a filled position and its incumbent always depends on the satisfaction of the employee’s family.”
“An international branch of the school has always been missing here”
“We depend on attracting young researchers and professors,” said Prof. Dr. Michael Bölker, adding: “Actually, we’ve always lacked an international branch here in Marburg.” Petra Kienle, head of Department VI (International Affairs and Family Services) at Philipps University, shares this assessment. She was involved in the negotiations leading up to the partnership but was unable to attend the signing ceremony.
“The numerous internationally oriented companies in the region have long had the topic of ‘international schools’ on their agenda. We are pleased that we can now get started in earnest,” says Oskar Edelmann, Deputy Executive Director of the Kassel-Marburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK). “This new educational program is a key component in attracting skilled workers and thus helps secure the region’s position as a business hub. The International School of Central Hesse will certainly play a key role in helping regional companies attract and retain international skilled workers. The excellent and dedicated collaboration between the school, businesses, the university, regional management, and the IHK has paid off.”
Information Session on November 29
Meanwhile, Steinmühle continues to work on creating the best possible conditions for the launch of the new school division next summer. The imminent completion of the new middle school building and the ongoing renovation of the main building are part of this effort, reported Managing Director Dirk Konnertz. In the medium term, a new elementary school building and a gym will be constructed in the coming years, explained Principal Bernd Holly, outlining the next steps.
For those interested in enrolling their children at the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School, an information session will be held on November 29 in the school’s forum. “We would like to introduce you to the concept of the Steinmühle Bilingual Elementary School and also discuss the start of the so-called ‘flexible school start,’” explained Principal Björn Gemmer. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.
