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In recent times, there has been a significant focus on research and internationalisation in Germany's Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS). This shift is evident in various initiatives and programmes aimed at fostering collaboration between UAS researchers and institutions across the globe.

One such initiative comes from the German Research Foundation (DFG), which has launched an initiative to support exchanges between UAS researchers in Germany and Central Asia, specifically focusing on Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The DFG's international partnerships extend to Scotland and Jordan, in addition to Central Asia, and topics of interest include digitalisation, sustainable urban development, renewable energies, and resource management.

Moreover, the DFG supports dual programmes offered by UAS that combine academic study with on-the-job training in companies. These programmes have recently been the focus of international exchange, with Scotland and Jordan being the latest countries to participate.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), on the other hand, has been promoting international networking among UAS for over five years. The DAAD's international partnerships span Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Indonesia, Australia, and several other countries, as demonstrated at a conference in Dortmund in May 2025.

Minister Bär, who took office in May 2025, has emphasised the importance of application-oriented research. This focus is reflected in the recent funding proposals submitted by UAS under the "Research at UAS" programme. These proposals covered topics like nursing science, neurotechnologies, and climate adaptation in rural areas.

In addition, a bachelor's degree programme in smart textiles is being developed at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences with partner universities based in Belgium, Finland, Sweden, and Indonesia. However, the search results do not provide explicit information about the partner universities involved in this programme.

HTW Berlin and its Australian partner universities are running the project "Global Women in Engineering and IT", promoting academic exchange for women. Furthermore, an international start-up network is being established at Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences.

Research is becoming increasingly important at UAS in Germany. Minister Bär stated that UAS can play to their strengths more effectively in application-oriented research. Programmes such as "Research at UAS" are to be expanded in Germany, reflecting this growing emphasis on research.

In conclusion, the UAS in Germany are actively engaging in international collaborations and fostering research in various fields. This focus on research and internationalisation is expected to continue, further enhancing the standing of UAS in the global academic community.