Hightech Agenda
As an investment program of the Free State of Bavaria, the Hightech Agenda (HTA) aims to strengthen research, teaching, and innovation, thereby enhancing Bavaria's competitiveness on an international scale. The University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm also benefits from this program through new professorships, the expansion of teaching and research opportunities, and stronger networking with regional companies.
Facts and figures
With a budget of around €5.5 billion, the Hightech Agenda Bavaria is Germany's largest innovation initiative. It is creating and securing around 3,800 new jobs at universities, including 1,000 professorships in future-oriented fields such as artificial intelligence, clean tech, and aerospace. In addition, over 13,000 additional places in degree programs are being created. The HTA thus strengthens Bavaria's leading position in research and teaching, accelerates digital transformation, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises, and provides answers to key questions about the future, such as energy, climate, health, and Industry 5.0.
The Hightech Agenda acts as a catalyst for the implementation of our ambitious strategic goals. With forward-looking study concepts and the sustainable expansion of our research and transfer strengths, we are making a decisive contribution to raising the level of innovation in the region and beyond to the next level.
Hightech Agenda at HNU
At a glance
New teaching and research professorships, as well as additional positions in science and science support, strengthen teaching, research, and innovation.
The additional funding secured for the “Distinguished Professorship at a University of Applied Sciences” creates excellent conditions for further strengthening research and transfer.
Innovative degree programmes expand the range of educational opportunities—tailored to practical needs.
As part of the Digital Innovations for a Changing Society (DIWAG) doctoral center, we have independent doctoral rights.
Technology transfer centers promote the exchange of knowledge and innovation with the regional economy.
In the area of start-ups, the focus is on acquiring skills and networking in innovation systems.
A new modular building provides space for innovative projects and collaborations in the future-oriented field of artificial intelligence.
Strategic partnerships with companies increase the region's clout.
Professorships
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HTA professors teach and conduct research at HNU. In addition, the university has been allocated a total of 16.5 additional positions for teaching staff with special responsibilities, research assistants, and science support staff as part of the HTA.
Distinguished professorship
With its “Spitzenprofessurenprogramm” (SPP), the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts promotes research at the highest level in a competitive process involving an interdisciplinary, independent selection committee. An appointment under the program at a university of applied sciences comes with funding of up to €3.5 million over five years. This creates excellent conditions for research by outstanding scientists from Germany and abroad.
Prof. Dr. Marten Risius has been a distinguished professor at HNU since November 2024. His research focus on “Digital Society and Online Engagement” with an emphasis on trust and safety in social media expands HNU's research on the use of artificial intelligence and offers links to the doctoral center “Digital Innovations for a Changing Society” (DIWAG).
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new degree programmes have been created since the introduction of the HTA at HNU, including Artificial Intelligence and Information Management (B.Sc.), Game Production and Management (B.A.), Digital Healthcare Management (M.A.) and Advanced Sales Management and Intelligence (M.Sc.).
Technology transfer
Günzburg Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ)
With a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics, the TTZ Günzburg aims to promote and strengthen the regional economy on behalf of the Bavarian state government. For example, companies and their employees are actively supported through the implementation of innovation projects.
In addition, scientists in Günzburg are conducting intensive research in various areas of artificial intelligence. These ongoing research activities form the basis for innovative solutions and the transfer of AI knowledge to the region. The main areas of research are Natural Language Processing (NLP), Neuro-Symbolic Ai in the field of Computer Vision, and Reinforcement Learning (RL) in robotics.
Leipheim Technology Transfer Centre (TTZ)
The Smart Production and Logistics Technology Transfer Centre in Leipheim sees itself as an enabler of the smart factory: through knowledge and technology transfer and the development of sustainable, flexible, modular and networked production systems, it supports companies in the region in the form of training courses, consulting, joint projects and application-oriented research.
Research is conducted in the areas of smart factories for digitised, automated and networked production, sustainable supply chain networks for the sustainable, resilient and competitive design of value creation networks, and change and project management for transformation in companies.
HNU is pooling the expertise of its two technology transfer centres as part of the AI Transfer Plus programme funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Digital Affairs. As one of a total of eight Bavarian AI regional centres, the AI Transfer Plus Regional Centre North Swabia, which opened in 2024, is aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises that have little experience with AI to date. Support is provided by the AI regional centres, while the project is coordinated and designed by appliedAI Initiative GmbH.
Entrepreneurship
KANU
KANU is a collaborative project between Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences and Augsburg University and Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences. Together, the three universities promote the innovative strength and entrepreneurial spirit of their students and strengthen Swabia as a centre of business and innovation in the long term. As part of a systematic start-up training programme, students acquire in-depth knowledge of entrepreneurship, creativity and business model development. In addition, the programme focuses on networking with other disciplines and partners with practical experience. The programme spans two semesters and is offered as an elective subject.
Right to award doctorates
DIWAG
As the legal framework for innovation at HTA, the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG) grants universities of applied sciences the right to award doctorates independently. HNU successfully applied for this right as part of a joint doctoral centre with OTH Amberg-Weiden and University of Applied Sciences Landshut: In 2023, thanks in part to its increased research strength through HTA, it was granted the independent right to award doctorates for an initial period of seven years. Since then, the DIWAG doctoral programme (‘Digital Innovations for a Changing Society’) based at HNU has been addressing current and future challenges of a changing society and focusing on research into digital innovations.
Modular building
It creates space for innovative projects and collaborations in the future field of artificial intelligence: HNU has received €2.3 million from the HTA for a modular extension. The building will have a main usable area of 350 m² and is expected to be inaugurated in early 2026.
Strategic partnerships
Working together for greater innovation, better recruitment of skilled workers and increased international competitiveness: in February 2023, HNU teamed up with ten regional companies to establish a network that brings together expertise, contacts and ideas from academia and industry. These strategic partnerships enable us to tackle current challenges in an even more targeted manner – both within the region and internationally.
