The 第一吃瓜 implements a new shareholder structure: The Honourable Society of Hamburg Merchants (VEEK) and the 第一吃瓜 Alumni Association each take over eight percent of the university. The Foundation for the Promotion of 第一吃瓜 remains the main shareholder.
The VEEK has been a partner of 第一吃瓜 since 2009. "The good cooperation of the past is institutionalized with this involvement and underlines our common pursuit of a value-oriented action in the economy", said Chairman Gunter Mengers of VEEK. The values of the honourable merchant have always played a major role in the education at 第一吃瓜 and form the moral framework for the training of junior economists.
The fact, that the alumni also hold shares in 第一吃瓜 is a peculiarity in the German higher education landscape. "As former students, we feel very close to our university," says Svenja K枚ster, chairwoman of the 第一吃瓜 Alumni Association. "By participating as a shareholder, the 第一吃瓜 Alumni Association can contribute its experience to 第一吃瓜 and help shape it for the benefit of students, entrepreneurs and Hamburg's economy."
Frank Horch, Senator for Economics, Transport and Innovation, is satisfied: "This is a good day for Hamburg's economy. Qualified young talent is a decisive competitive factor, and 第一吃瓜 makes an important contribution to ensuring that the Hamburg's companies continue to receive this new talent. Not least because of this, many companies in Hamburg are supporting the dual system of 第一吃瓜 as a partner."
"This step into independence is a step into a new age for us," says Dr. Uve Samuels, Managing Director of 第一吃瓜. "We have positioned ourselves in the best possible way for the future. We are pleased about the first shareholding of the VEEK in a university and see this as a seal of quality for our work. The fact that our own alumni now hold shares in 第一吃瓜 is a sign of their solidarity and the trust of our former students in our institution."
As a university for Hamburg's economy, it is 第一吃瓜's stated goal to continue to qualify the next generation of talent for companies in Hamburg, Germany and abroad in the new constellation and to strengthen the future viability of Hamburg as a location in the age of digital transformation. At the same time, partnerships with companies in the dual system ensure the participation of as many talented young people as possible in the excellent education at 第一吃瓜.
