Universities of applied sciences face similar questions: How can they attract young people to pursue a degree? How can universities train skilled workers for their regions? And how can they forge closer ties between research, business, and society?

The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and the Ansbach University of Applied Sciences discussed these and other challenges during a meeting on the Zittau campus. The occasion was a visit by the president of Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sascha Müller-Feuerstein, on July 14. Together with Zittau/Görlitz University President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Kratzsch and other university representatives, the discussion focused primarily on practical approaches that have proven effective and on experiences from which both universities can mutually benefit.

Several examples from the HSZG demonstrated just how varied such approaches can be. At the DLR_School_Lab, Sascha Müller-Feuerstein learned about the structure of the student lab, its educational offerings, and the experiences gained during its first year of operation.

The subsequent strategy discussion focused on the development of the HSZG and structural change in Upper Lusatia. Other topics included the Cooperative Engineering Education (KIA) program, the educational initiative “Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz” (ZukLOS), and current challenges in university development.

A tour of the campus, with stops at the Makerspace, the wind-photovoltaic plant, the Green Classroom, and the high-voltage hall, rounded out the professional exchange.

Despite differing regional conditions, Ansbach University of Applied Sciences and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences face similar challenges for the future. Both institutions work closely with businesses, local governments, and other partners, and align their academic programs, research, and knowledge transfer with the needs of their respective communities.

There are also interesting parallels in the development of the two regions. Bavaria and Saxony have driven the expansion of applied universities and strengthened the connection between academic studies, research, and professional practice. While Middle Franconia has developed into a thriving hub for science and business, structural change in Upper Lusatia is opening up new prospects for research, innovation, and international collaboration in the Germany–Poland–Czech Republic border region.

It is precisely these differing experiences that make the cross-university dialogue so interesting: Which approaches work under which conditions? Which concepts can be transferred—and where are solutions needed that are tailored to the respective region?

Sascha Müller-Feuerstein was particularly interested in the HSZG’s collaboration with schools, research, and knowledge transfer, as well as strategic university development.

The dialogue that has begun is to continue. Both universities intend to maintain a dialogue, particularly regarding innovative teaching, research, and knowledge transfer models, and to continue sharing their experiences with various approaches to university development.