Six universities of applied sciences found the German Alliance for Applied Sciences in Darmstadt

Darmstadt / Germany. Six German universities of applied sciences have today formed the German Alliance for Applied Sciences (HAWtech). The universities concerned are hoping to work closely together, especially in the fields of training, research, technology transfer, advanced training and university management; to present a united public image and to create a united strategic position. They share a focus on technical subjects, a strong practical orientation and an excellent reputation. They have a combined student body of 47,000 students. At the signing ceremony at the University of Darmstadt, the top university administrators of the founding members were present: Prof. Dr. Marcus Baumann, Rector of Aachen University of Applied Sciences; Prof. Dr. Michael Heine, President of the Berlin University of Applied Sciences; Prof. Dr. Maria Overbeck-Larisch, President of the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hannes Neumann, Rector of the Dresden University of Applied Sciences; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Schwarz, Rector of the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences and Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Meisel, President of the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences.

President Prof. Dr. Maria Overbeck-Larisch was the initiator of the German Alliance for Applied Sciences: “Germany’s economy is threatened by a lack of specialists; the demands on university graduates are growing continuously. This means that universities must set the right focuses, think strategically together and participate in important social decision-making. The German Alliance for Applied Sciences is conceived as a competent contact partner for politics, the economy and the media, especially in the core subjects of mathematics, computer technology, the natural sciences and technology.“

The Alliance will be publicly represented by an executive board of two members. In the middle of October, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Schwarz (Esslingen) was elected as its speaker. He will be deputised by Prof. Dr. Michael Heine (Berlin). They will both hold these positions for two years. At general meetings, the top administrators will strive to reach their resolutions amicably. Further, working parties on various topics have already been established. The circle of Alliance members is in principle open. After the first few formative months, further technically oriented universities with an excellent reputation may be admitted into the Alliance.

 
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Schwarz, Rector of the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences: “The universities of applied sciences which are members of the Alliance, and which are highly ranked in the national ranking system, are hoping to achieve, among other things, a strong brand presence by means of multi-facetted co-working. The Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is convinced that working together nationally with strong partner universities has enormous potential for the further development of existing strengths as well as for establishing new fields of work.”

To coordinate co-working, contact with the press and public relations work, further marketing developments as well as cooperative projects, the universities have established an Alliance office at the Esslingen University of Applied Sciences. The contact person there is Britta Magenau. (For contact information see the margin.)

This year the Alliance universities have already come closer at various levels. Alongside talks at top administrative levels, the chancellors have already had an initial meeting to discuss specialist questions. In the middle of October, representatives from the universities concerned met at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences in three working groups, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Technology and International Affairs, where they held preliminary discussions on the directions their co-working should take. These included a demand for student mobility through cooperatively organised exchange semesters, joint initiatives abroad or the development of a degree program spanning different universities. These ideas will be made concrete today at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.

Prof. Dr. Michael Heine, President of the Berlin University of Applied Sciences said: “The Alliance is an ideal forum for the establishment of benchmarks in a trusting environment. This is important for all participants, especially now, in times of escalating competitiveness among universities. We need to extend our horizons at all levels and we will be taking part in extensive talks, whether they are concerned with financial controlling, the development of degree programs which span different universities or joint research activities.”

Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Meisel, President of the Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences said: ”The Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences is looking forward to working closely with the members of the German Alliance for Applied Sciences. All the universities concerned have been highly successful until now and will continue to strengthen and develop their position together within the Alliance. This also includes international activities. Joint summer schools for foreign students, a joint presence at international recruiting events, participation in advertising for DAAD-support programmes, and the founding of foreign universities under the umbrella of the German Alliance for Applied Sciences - are these are conceivable. However, new national and international perspectives are also opening in the area of applied research.“

Prof. Dr. Marcus Baumann, Rector of the Aachen University of Applied Sciences: “Mechanical engineering is one of the most important fields of production in Germany and a key driver in technical innovation. Qualified and motivated engineers have great importance for maintaining the excellent technical position held by the German economy. In my opinion, energy conversion technologies, energy efficiency, and research and development of renewable energy sources will become one of the most important topics in the coming decades. Engineers trained in mechanical engineering degree programs will be in a position to help create a new world and make a contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and damage to the environment by developing new and improved energy conversion processes.“

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hannes Neumann, Rector of the Dresden University of Applied Sciences: “I believe that the planned joint degree program in electrical engineering is one of the first examples of using synergy effects in training. In this way, we are giving the students the chance to study at another university with full recognition of their examination performance. Further projects, for example, student exchanges, help students to acquire additional competences.“