Study findings published in prestigious academic journal

The German Research Foundation (DFG) is bolstering efforts to foster collaboration between German UAS researchers and their counterparts from Central Asia, particularly Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This initiative, part of a broader push for international exchange, was highlighted at a conference in May 2025 in Dortmund.

At this conference, the diversity of international partnerships promoted by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) became evident. Over the past five years, the DAAD's program HAW.International has played a pivotal role in promoting these partnerships, with a focus on the extensive networking of universities of applied sciences (UAS).

One such partnership has led to the development of the Bachelor program "Smart Textiles." This initiative involves universities in Belgium, Finland, Sweden, and Indonesia, with the University of Borås in Sweden being a key partner. Although specific partner universities in Finland, Belgium, and Indonesia are not explicitly named in the available data, Hochschule Niederrhein, the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein, collaborates internationally, including documented partnerships with the University of Borås for double degree programs in Smart Textiles.

Research is gaining importance at UAS in Germany. Minister Dorothee Baer, who took office in May 2025, believes that UAS can leverage their strengths in application-oriented research. In line with this belief, she plans to expand programs like "Research at UAS" to provide more opportunities for UAS to conduct research in Germany.

The expansion of the "Research at UAS" program is not limited to traditional academic partnerships. For instance, the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences is building an international startup network, while the University of Applied Sciences for Technology and Economics Berlin is promoting academic exchange among women through the project "Global Women in Engineering and IT," in partnership with Australian universities.

Recent funding applications from UAS to the "Research at UAS" program cover a wide range of topics, including nursing sciences, neurotechnologies, and climate adaptations in rural areas. The topics covered in these applications are diverse, ranging from healthcare to environmental sciences.

Germany's UAS have a strong focus on practical education and close collaboration with companies. This focus is reflected in programs like dual study programs that combine study and vocational training in companies. Scotland and Jordan were recently in the spotlight of the international exchange of UAS supported by the DFG.

In conclusion, the German UAS are actively strengthening their international partnerships, with a focus on application-oriented research and practical education. The "Research at UAS" program, among others, is designed to support this trend, offering opportunities for UAS to collaborate with universities worldwide and conduct groundbreaking research.