Strong universities of applied sciences make a major contribution to the development of the regions

The recent "UAS4EUROPE" conference in Brussels was an excellent opportunity to see for oneself that European universities of applied sciences and their applied research are making an important contribution to overcoming Europe's future challenges. Under the motto "Learn! Network! Lobby!", around 200 representatives from 29 European countries were in attendance, including numerous representatives from the EU Commission and national politics. The importance of application-oriented research at universities of applied sciences, their regional impact and their market orientation were once again confirmed as their key strengths.
Friedrich von Heusinger, Head of the Hessian State Representation in Brussels, emphasised the positive development of universities of applied sciences in Europe and pointed to the Fulda University of Applied Sciences in Hesse as one of the universities of applied sciences at which an independent doctoral programme has been implemented. Bernd Sibler, State Secretary for Research in Bavaria, emphasised the important function of universities of applied sciences in the European regions. He referred to a funding initiative of the German Federal Government for universities of applied sciences, which will enable them to become more involved in European programmes, in particular Horizon 2020.
"The important role of research at universities of applied sciences has also been recognised in Austria," Kurt Koleznik, Secretary General of the FHK, is convinced. "However, if we want to match the favourable conditions at universities of applied sciences in Germany and Switzerland, a few more steps will certainly be necessary. Sustainable research funding at universities of applied sciences and the possibility of setting up externally quality-assured doctoral programmes would also open up new dimensions for research at universities of applied sciences in Austria and subsequently for the regions," concludes Koleznik.
UAS4EUROPE is an association of European network organisations and university of applied sciences representations that have set themselves the goal of strongly positioning research at universities of applied sciences in the context of the European Union. More about UAS4EUROPE on Twitter: UAS4EUROPE(@UAS4EUROPE) and www.uas4europe.eu