Prof. Schäfer can look back on a proud 40 years of service to the Free State of Bavaria – 29 of them at Hof University of Applied Sciences. This achievement not only demonstrates consistency and loyalty, but in his case also means decades full of impetus and professional development.
Throughout his entire career at Hof University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Schäfer has helped shape its profile in research and teaching. His teaching area – European, International and German Business Law – has long since become a bridging subject that also sensitizes students to the challenges of European integration. He has also been active as a representative for the disabled for 15 years and is committed to an inclusive university culture.
Founder of the Europaforum
Particularly noteworthy is his initiative to launch the annual Europe Forum at Hof University of Applied Sciences in 2016, which will be held for the 10th time on October 20(campuls-digital reported). In the 1990s, Prof. Schäfer was seconded from the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs to the EU Department of the Federal Chancellery in Bonn and for a total of five years to the Observer of the Länder to the EU and to the Directorate-General for Transport of the European Commission in Brussels.
The Europe Forum is a platform that aims to keep the idea of European unification alive, strengthen universities and regions and promote exchange with economic and civil society players. The 10th Forum in October will focus on the region of North Africa and the Middle East.
His textbook on European law has sold 5,000 copies in three editions. Prof. Schäfer recently published specialist articles on international contract law and international arbitration. He is a frequent contributor to the public debate on current issues, e.g. Germany’s democratic credentials
Looking back and ahead
“40 years of service are a mirror of transformation: from growing Europeanization to digitalized administration to international cooperation, in which Hof University of Applied Sciences is also increasingly involved. With Prof. Schäfer, we are not only celebrating a personal lifetime achievement, but also an institution that has moved us forward through its commitment, continuity and foresight,” said University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann.
