Hof University of Applied Sciences is continuing to expand its collaboration with partner universities in Kazakhstan. It recently agreed with Satbayev University in Almaty to offer a joint English-language double-degree program in mechanical engineering. As part of the Bachelor of Engineering Science (B.Eng.) program, students will be able to earn degrees from both universities while gaining academic and practical experience in Kazakhstan and Germany (as reported by Campuls-digital). Hof University of Applied Sciences has long cooperated with the Kazakh-German Institute for Sustainable Engineering (KINI) in the German-language tracks of the modular Bachelor’s program in Engineering Sciences and in Computer Science. Now, University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann and Susanne Krause, Head of the International Office, visited their partners in Almaty and Aktau.
In addition to discussing the ongoing collaboration, the focus was on new perspectives in teaching and research. The trip first took them to Almaty to the German-Kazakh University (DKU), where KINI students spend their third year of study. This partnership enables them to pursue a German-language degree in the modular Bachelor’s program in Engineering (B.Eng.) at Hof University of Applied Sciences. While the first two years of study take place in Aktau, students spend their third year at DKU in Almaty. In their fourth year, they then transfer to Hof University of Applied Sciences, where they continue their studies until graduation. An expansion into the field of electrical engineering/mechatronics is planned.
The visit also served to bring the cooperation agreement with KINI to life and to deepen personal exchanges with local partners. Afterward, Lehmann and Krause toured KINI and Yessenov University in Aktau. The KINI facility there is still under construction.
“International partnerships realize their greatest value when agreements lead to concrete study opportunities, personal encounters, and long-term prospects. The collaboration with our Kazakh partners is a very good example of this.”
University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann
First Students Already in Hof
The fact that this cooperation is more than just a paper agreement is already evident in the current academic year: Hof University has admitted two students from the Kazakhstani KINI cooperation network—one from Aktau and another from Almaty. This marks the practical implementation of international exchange between the two locations.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Design, sees this as an important foundation for further development:
“Together with our partners in Kazakhstan, we are creating reliable structures that enable students to gain international experience while simultaneously strengthening academic collaboration. It is particularly valuable that we are gradually transforming existing contacts into concrete degree programs and joint activities.”
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Müller, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Design
New Perspectives in Logistics, Energy Technology, and Research
In the future, the collaboration is set to extend beyond the existing degree programs. Yessenov University has expressed interest in collaborating with Hof University of Applied Sciences in the fields of logistics and energy technology as well. In addition, a partnership within the framework of a doctoral program is being pursued.
Progress is also being made on the academic front: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Plessing, Director of the Institute for Hydrogen and Energy Technology (iwe) at Hof University of Applied Sciences, has since visited KINI. In addition to discussing potential research approaches, a guest lecture for students was also scheduled.
In addition, Yerlan Tursynbek from the German-Kazakh University is currently a visiting scholar at Hof University of Applied Sciences. During his three-week internship, he will spend one week each familiarizing himself with the Faculties of Engineering and Applied Design and Computer Science. Another week is set aside for organizational matters. The visit is intended to provide insights into the structures and working methods of Hof University of Applied Sciences and to deepen the academic exchange between the institutions.
