Annual academic reception at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences focuses on the future of universities of applied sciences

Fishbowl discussion on future tasks and challenges

Application-orientated teaching and research are the traditional tasks of universities of applied sciences. However, the demands of students, business and society regarding what needs to be achieved beyond this have changed. How can universities do justice to their various interest groups? What do they have to offer in order not to lose their raison d'être? And how can they deal with the current social challenges? These were the questions addressed at this year's Annual Academic Reception at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences under the motto ‘The Future of Universities of Applied Sciences - Back to Basics?’. This year's event was once again jointly organised by Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and the Verein zur Förderung der Hochschule Bremerhaven e.V. (Association for the Promotion of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences).

Rector Prof. Dr Dr h.c. In his welcoming speech, Alexis Papathanassis compared the current social challenges with the Greek legend of Belleophon, who was supposed to defeat the chimera. Instead of facing the monstrous creature directly in battle, he first sought the advice of the seer Polyeidos. He helped the hero to develop strategic foresight and an innovative fighting technique, which ultimately led to victory. Universities are currently confronted with a chimera of financial and demographic challenges as well as expectations regarding the development of technological and ecological solutions, which can also only be mastered with foresight and reflection. ‘We need to look to the future and keep our long-term goals in mind as we navigate the complexities of the present. The first step is to critically reflect and filter out what matters and is important in our dynamic environment and with a view to its future. Like Bellerophon, we need to take the time to evaluate our current approaches, question our assumptions and consider the long-term implications of our actions. In this way, we can ensure that our endeavours are not merely reactive, but guided by a clear vision of the future we want to shape,’ said Prof. Papathanassis.

Prof Dr Ulrich Sander welcomed the guests on behalf of the association and looked back on the emergence of universities of applied sciences in Germany. It was the students' desire for academisation that turned the first engineering schools into universities in 1968. Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, which was founded in 1975, initially had to fight repeatedly to maintain its existence. This was also the reason for the founding of the support association, which successfully campaigned for its university through protests. Today, the aim is to take the future into our own hands and shape it. Prof. Sander thanked the Rector for restructuring existing degree programmes and creating new ones. ‘It's not about reinventing the wheel. But defective and old spokes must be replaced by new and more efficient ones. And that's what Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences is doing,’ he concluded.

The tasks of universities have expanded since they were founded, as moderator Prof Dr Michael Vogel explained to set the mood for the discussion. In addition to teaching and research, areas such as quality management, marketing and science communication, digital sovereignty, diversity, third mission, sustainability and many more have long since been included. It should contribute to the rejuvenation of the city through its students and be networked in the region. But what does it take for a university not to lose its raison d'être? What are the ‘basics’ today - and how have they changed compared to the past? The guests at the annual academic reception discussed these questions in a fishbowl format. Everyone was invited to take a seat on the podium and share their own views. 

Everyone agreed that good and practice-orientated teaching must continue to be a central task of the university. What needs to be achieved beyond this was discussed controversially in some cases. After all, the situation at universities has changed. The student body has long since become more heterogeneous and the requirements they have to fulfil for their professional life go beyond pure specialist knowledge. A university also has a socio-political educational mission and contributes to the personal development of its students. The exchange in group work in particular means that they have to deal with different opinions and reflect on their own. Practical experience is also increasingly becoming a focus of teaching and leads to early networking with the regional economy. Companies looking for well-trained young talent regularly offer students a job even before they graduate. Will a Bachelor's or Master's degree become less important at some point due to the shortage of skilled labour? There was no unanimous opinion on this among the panellists.

For the Bremerhaven location, the participants wanted unique degree programmes geared towards the needs of the regional economy. Furthermore, additional offers such as part-time study, further education opportunities and other dual study programmes would address the changing realities of potential students' lives. It is a matter of turning to new topics and further developing old ones. In addition, word needs to get around that the teaching staff look after their students and also support them when they are uncertain or have problems. This is a special feature of the university, which must continue to endeavour to give students a home and offer them an educational experience.

The tasks of universities and whether they need to deal with their students differently than they did a few years ago were discussed not only during the fishbowl discussion, but also during the subsequent get-together. There, participants also had the opportunity to immortalise themselves with a name plaque on one of the chairs in the event room in return for a donation.