Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Börje Holmberg became head of education at Hermods, Sweden in 1956, which was then the largest distance education organization in Europe. In 1976, he became one of the first professors of FernUniversität Hagen, Germany, also heading their central institute for research in distance education. In 1997, he became the founding president of Wilhelm Büchner University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt (the former “Private FernFachhochschule Darmstadt”). Professor Holmberg has received several awards and honors because of his various accomplishments, including honorary doctorates of Deaken University, Australia, and the Open University, UK.
Bernd Schachtsiek, first chancellor of Wilhelm Büchner University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt (formerly “Private FernFachhochschule Darmstadt”) and sponsor of the Börje-Holmberg Award, which is awarded annually by Wilhelm Büchner University for outstanding achievements. Bernd Schachtsiek has more than 45 years of experience in corporate management, including adult education, and was president of the European Association for Distance Learning EADL from 1991 to 2005.