Bundesfachschule für Orthopädietechnik

Figures – Facs - Names
The Federal Academy of Orthopaedic Technology was founded 1953 in Frankfurt/Main (a decisive role played: Hellmut Habermann, Hugo Stortz. The first course started on the 15th of March 1954.

Notes about the first years
During the first years the Director (Stefan Burger 1954 – 1959) and one subject teacher (Hans Huras) worked at BUFA, a second subject teacher (Hermann Kurtze) joined 1957.

Changes/Characteristics during the Frankfurt era (by memory L. Milde,
subject teacher 1972 – 1983)

1957 Extension of the BUFA Meister Course to 4 month (before 3 month)
1960 Günter Rosenkranz becomes Director
1961 Ralf Uhlig takes over the direction of the school (until 1974)
1961/62 Both above mentioned subject teachers retired from the school, Jan Prahl (61-66)/Walter Roth (65- 81), Bodo Poetsch (61-72)/Lothar Milde (72-83) were called to teach in BUFA.
1964/65 Introduction of the “multisemester course” means: only one yearly course
1965 National Approval
1970 Appointment of a school board for the professional support of the director. Members: Hellmut Habermann, Herbert D. Stolle and a changing former BUFA student. This body was actively involved in the organization of the course during the Frankfurt era, in Dortmund this body was not contunued.
1971+1972 Interbor-Courses about Plastic-Technology in french language with Translators
1972 Introduction of the additional qualification: Staatl. gepr. Techniker der Fachrichtung Orthopädie. Supplementary Award until the course 1965/66
1973 Enlargement of teaching staff to 4 subject teachers Dorothea Roschke (until1984) and Hans Röder (until 1977) Introduction of Teamwork (4 Groups à 7 students) in clinicals
1973/74 The former „Semester Paper“ about an orthopaedic technical subject as a homework resp. as a compulsory work is modified to “supervised work” for the Engineer Examination (introduced in 1972)
1974 Dipl. Ing. Wilfried Krieger becomes Director (until 1986)
1976 BUFA has an exhibition booth during the P&O World Congress in Düsseldorf
1981 Move to Dortmund
Regular guest lecturers during the Frankfurt era: Walter G. Biedermann, Prof. Boenick, Herr Franke/ Freiburg i. Sachsen, Julius Fuchs/Mannheim, Helmut Ginko, Alfred Habermann, Hellmut Habermann, Prof. Hauberg, Helmut John, Wilfried Knoche, Dr. Laska, Prof. Marquardt, Josef Münch, Dipl. Kfm Hermann Schmidt, Prof. Erich Schmitt, Herr Schneider /Nürnberg, Julius Schnur, Heinz Pfau, Rolf Volkert and others.
Changes/Characteristics during the Dortmund era
1981 1st April start of the 1st Dortmund BUFA-Course
1987 Sepp Heim becomes director (until 1989)
1988 Setting up the Department “BUFA-Consulting” 1994 renamed into
”Department for Development and Co-operation” (E&Z)
Head: S. Heim/ G. Fitzlaff, since 1991 Jens Franke
1988 Prolongation of the course of 1 month, starting from this year on 1st March
(March only for preparation of parts III + IV, the rest of hours part III/IV
during the 2nd Semester, always Friday afternoon and Monday morning)
1989 Setting up of the Department for Technology Transfer at the BUFA (with governmental support) Head: Dr. Andreas Brüssel (until 1993)
1990 Dipl. Ing. Wieland Kaphingst becomes Director (until June 1994)
1992 Prolongation of BUFA course of one month,
February + March lectures for parts III + IV, April until January lectures for part I + II. Introduction of the independent subject Armorthotics/Armprosthetics.
The supervised work (introduced in 1973/74 is canceled, introduction of written examination papers and its speech for defence.
1993 In February the European Diploma is awarded the first time for the course of the year 92. It certifies that Bufa-students achieved the highest possible level according to the guidelines of the Joint Education Committee of ISPO and INTERBBOR. Supplementary Award for all BUFA Dortmund Students after application.
1994 Priv. Doz. Dr. Thomas Finkenstädt becomes Director (until June 99)
1997 Setting up of the 8 Semester Studies „Engineer in Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Technology” at the University of Applied Sciences in Giessen/Friedberg. 1998 BUFA reconstruction and enlargement. Formal opening March 1999. There are now over
3.800 sqm for Labs, classrooms and administration offices available.
1999 Participation of the first group (6) of students from the University of Applied Sciences in Giessen/Friedberg (second semester of studies)
2000 Stefan Bieringer becomes Director, Detlef Kokegei Deputy Director

Registered Society for the promotion of the Federal Academy of Orthopaedic Technology
from 1997 on: Registered Society Federal Academy of Orthopaedic Technology.
Foundation: 1970. Board of Directors:
1. Chairman, 2. Chairman and 7 further Board Members, 3 from the P&O Trade, and 4 from the P&O Industry
Chairman:
1970– 1984 Heinz Pfau, 1984 – 1990 Wilfried Knoche, since 1990 Hans-Werner Willecke

Figures
Frankfurt:
1954 – 1980: 32 Courses with 754 participants (max. number of participants per course 24)
Dortmund:
1981 – 2000: 20 Courses with 629 participants (max. number of participants per course 32)
Continuing Education
BUFA performed from 1.1.1982 – 31.12.1999 674 continuing education courses (duration 1 to 5 days) with 19.133 participants mainly for P&O practitioners and physicians. (Figures from the Frankfurt era are not available).

The History of BUFA