At the annual general meeting of the Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer der Hochschule Hof e.V. (FG), the association took a look at the current development of the educational institution. Despite cohorts that have been declining for several years, Hof and the Münchberg, Kronach and Selb campuses have fortunately managed to keep the total number of students at a constant level of between 3,700 and 4,000. However, as the demographic trend will continue to intensify and Bavaria is even expecting a drop-out year in 2025, the university’s internationalization strategy must be consistently expanded. Hof University of Applied Sciences currently has around 1,500 international students from almost 70 countries.
In his report to the sponsors’ association, university president Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann discussed this development in detail. In particular, declining Bachelor numbers are currently affecting all universities and colleges. Distance-learning universities are also intensifying the existing competition. On the positive side, students from the region in particular are no longer choosing Hof University of Applied Sciences primarily because of its regional proximity, but because of its quality – according to the results of the current regional marketing study. However, this regional potential is already almost exhausted.
We can and will counteract this by further strengthening our internationalization strategy: we would like to transfer our successful cooperation with India to some South American countries.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann
Hof University of Applied Sciences currently has around 1,200 Indian students and the proportion of international students is 40%.
New focus on Central and South America
The focus for other target countries has long been on South America – including Colombia, Peru and Mexico. However, cooperation with African countries will also be sought from 2025, says Lehmann: “As many universities are currently aiming for India, Hof University of Applied Sciences would also like to further strengthen this cooperation by improving the quality of students through local language training in German.”
International graduates very often stay in Germany
The general trend is that the number of students on traditional courses such as business studies is declining somewhat, while IT courses are in greater demand. International students are also particularly interested in engineering. The proportion of students who enter the German job market after graduation is also remarkable:
72% of our international students stay in Germany, with a further 22% going to work for German companies abroad.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann
Strong research, but few spin-offs
Another remarkable factor is that research at Hof University of Applied Sciences is being increasingly intensified, which is reflected in the growing number of research institutes, research groups and academic staff. The latter are all financed by third-party funding. “We owe this pleasing development to the great commitment of our research professors,” explained Prof. Lehmann. In contrast, the spin-off sector is less pleasing and quite manageable. However, this applies to the whole country, as there is often a lack of “bite and willingness to take risks”.
Funds are becoming scarcer
Finally, a look at the university’s finances was not to be missed: the funds for all universities and colleges are becoming scarcer in the foreseeable future. “However, education policy and the necessary investments are important in the long term, as they have a lasting effect on economic development,” Lehmann reminded politicians.
Development company well positioned
Andreas Pöhlmann, Chairman of the Society of Friends and Sponsors of Hof University of Applied Sciences, addressed the strategic goals of the sponsoring society in his speech:
The extensive financial support for university projects will be maintained. At the same time, we would like to implement even stronger networking in the business world. Thanks to our new website under the umbrella of the university website, the Society of Friends and Sponsors of the University has also become more directly recognizable.”
Andreas Pöhlmann,
Chairman of the Board of the Gesellschaft der Freunde und Förderer der Hochschule Hof e.V.
The next step is to secure an award for innovative research and teaching, which the friends and sponsors have financed in recent years. The stable financial and membership situation is helpful here. The Friends and Sponsors of Hof University of Applied Sciences are made up of roughly equal numbers of private individuals and companies. Following the auditors’ report, the actions of the Board were unanimously approved.
Presentation of the ibp Institute
Traditionally, individual research areas at Hof University of Applied Sciences are also presented at the annual general meeting of the Society of Friends and Sponsors of Hof University of Applied Sciences. Prof. Dr. Michael Nase, Head of the Institute for Circular Economy of Bio:Polymers at Hof University of Applied Sciences (ibp), took on this task and began by talking about the currently active research and development groups at the still relatively new institute, which has around 30 employees and two laboratories. Compared to conventional plastics, bioplastics have the advantage of being able to be molded in the low energy range. The research focus of the new institute lies in the areas of industrial research & development, recycling, life cycle analysis (LCA), sustainable product design and natural materials and fibers. “Ideally, bioplastics should be used for short-lived products and products that can potentially remain in nature. Conventional plastics, on the other hand, should be used in particular for medium- and long-life products or products with a distinct material cycle. Their use must be designed in such a way that material recycling is possible,” says Prof. Nase.
