The Idea - Unglaublich wichtig

We have the answers.

Social and technical developments always come with their very own set of new questions. Be it the challenges of climate change, the lack of specialised staff, an aging population, the changes in mobility, or the use of media – particularly social media –, all of these issues demand viable solutions. To provide appropriate responses to the many questions invariably arising from these issues, we require creative individuals with a practically oriented education. We also need the results of application-oriented research and a campus that serves as a laboratory for social interaction amongst different generations.

Prof. Dr. Jörg Bagdahn
President of the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
Vice President of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK)
Speaker of the Member Group of Universities of Applied Sciences in the HRK

The Universities of Applied Sciences.

In July 1968, the premiers of Germany’s federal states agreed to introduce a new series of institutions of higher education to the country’s tertiary learning landscape, the so-called “Fachhochschulen”, or “technical colleges”. These institutions have over the years been transformed into modern universities of applied sciences (UAS). Today, they form the cornerstone of practically oriented education, application-based research and knowledge and technology transfer within the German science system. Thanks to their close collaboration with small and medium-sized companies as well as organisations from the social, educational and healthcare sectors, universities of applied sciences have become problem-solvers and innovation-drivers who have their fingers on the pulse of the times, simultaneously representing an important formative factor for their respective regions.

With their current image campaign, entitled “incredibly important”, the focus of attention has been firmly placed on these universities of applied sciences. At the same time, the campaign pays tribute to a highly successful idea and also highlights the relevance of the work carried out at their many locations. The primary objective of the campaign, which has been running since 2019, is to promote universities of applied sciences as an independent brand of the German tertiary education landscape and to highlight their social relevance. A total of 119 universities of applied sciences are organised in the German Rectors’ Conference, all of them being supported by the “incredibly important” campaign.

By loading the video, you accept YouTube's privacy policy.
Learn more

Load video

Always unblock YouTube

The Lübeck Manifest

Western Germany’s first technical colleges were established in 1969. Since those early days, they have grown in size and significance, having during this time been transformed into modern universities of applied sciences. Their standing was further strengthened by the pan-European Bologna Reform, which places their degrees on the same academic level as those of mainstream universities.

Thanks to their efforts and successes in the field of research, universities of applied sciences have become true drivers of innovation, especially in their respective regions. They are incredibly important for small and medium-sized businesses (SME) as well as the social, educational and healthcare sectors. With their practical orientation, they support the transfer of knowledge and technology while also making important contributions to solving society’s biggest challenges.

As a result, universities of applied sciences are today a key component of the science and innovation hub of Germany. To ensure that this massive potential is used to the fullest – that is the primary objective of the “Lübeck Manifest”.

We have the answers.

The Universities of Applied Sciences.

The Lübeck Manifest

Contact

Social Media

Partner