The Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG) of 2023 granted universities of applied sciences with a strong research focus the right to award doctorates independently: after successfully applying, they can now award doctorates independently in selected fields of research – a significant step for the scientific development and visibility of universities of applied sciences in Bavaria. Bavaria's Minister of Science Markus Blume described the first completed doctorates as “a piece of Bavarian scientific history” and praised the new role of universities of applied sciences as “research with a down-to-earth approach and passion.”
DIWAG Doctoral Center: application-oriented doctoral degrees
One of the 22 Bavarian doctoral centers is the “Digital Innovations for a Changing Society” (DIWAG) doctoral center, which HNU applied for in cooperation with OTH Amberg-Weiden and HaW Landshut.
“The fact that independent doctorates have become possible at universities of applied sciences is a great success for the Bavarian research landscape and for us as the University of Applied Sciences Neu-Ulm,” affirms HNU President Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser. “The DIWAG doctoral center is a central component of our research strategy. It opens up application-oriented paths to doctoral studies for young scientists – in subject areas that are highly relevant to business and society.”
Scientific depth with social impact
Currently, 26 young researchers are pursuing their doctorates in the doctoral program of the same name, including eleven HNU doctoral candidates. By the end of the year, more than 30 doctoral candidates are expected. “Our doctoral students conduct research with concrete practical relevance in fields such as artificial intelligence, digital health and care, and new business models. In this way, DIWAG combines scientific depth with social impact,” explains Prof. Dr. Elmar Buchner, head of the doctoral center and vice president for research and young talent development.
More about DIWAG – Doctoral Center (opens in a new window)
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Prof. Dr. Elmar Buchner
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