What Universities Can Learn from One Another

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 Ansbach University President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sascha Müller-Feuerstein on July 14. Together with Zittau/Görlitz University Rector 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 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 meeting focused on the development of the HSZG and structural change in Upper Lusatia. Other topics included the Cooperative Engineering Education Programme (KIA), the educational initiative “Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz” (ZukLOS), and current challenges in university development.

A tour of the campus—including stops at the Makerspace, the wind-photovoltaic plant, the Green Classroom, and the high voltage facility—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 universities 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 triangle.

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 should continue. Both universities intend to remain in contact, particularly regarding innovative teaching, research, and knowledge transfer models, and to continue sharing their experiences with various approaches to university development.