The Hof University Support Association—the Society of Friends and Supporters of Hof University (e.V.)—made important personnel and strategic decisions at its general meeting. In addition to the unanimous approval of an amendment to the bylaws and the election of an expanded board of directors, the focus was on the future development of the university and the role of the support association.
Chairman Andreas Pöhlmann reported on the activities of the past year and emphasized the importance of the support association as a reliable partner of the university. In 2026 alone, the support association provided more than 70,000 euros in support to Hof University. Among the initiatives funded were support for numerous student projects, the presentation of awards at the graduation ceremony, and support for the LinkedIn marketing campaign of the Institute for Circular Economy of Bio-Polymers (ibp).
Strong Network Between the University and the Business Community
With currently 165 members, approximately 93 percent of whom are companies, the Support Association remains a strong network linking the university and the regional business community. Looking to the future, the Support Association reaffirmed its strategic goals. These include, in particular, expanding the recruitment of new members and partners, as well as further strengthening cooperation between the university and the business community.
In his report, University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Jürgen Lehmann addressed the university’s current challenges. Despite stable student enrollment, available resources are becoming scarcer. At the same time, the use of artificial intelligence and the transformation of the workplace are changing the demands placed on academic studies and career entry. Practical experience in companies is therefore more important than ever. The president called on companies in the region to continue offering graduates attractive internships and job opportunities in the future.
Further Internationalization on the Horizon
In addition, he presented the university’s development plan through the year 2050. The plan focuses on future-oriented topics such as artificial intelligence, sustainability, and green technologies, with an emphasis on the fields of water, textiles, biopolymers, and health and care. Further internationalization—including through collaborations with partners in Mexico and Kazakhstan, as well as the expansion of international research projects—will also be consistently pursued. The university’s consistently strong performance in the StudyCheck ranking was also highlighted positively.
During the general meeting, the members unanimously approved an amendment to the bylaws. At the same time, the board of directors was expanded: Going forward, the board will include six additional members. Both the election of the new board and the appointment of the auditors were approved unanimously.
An overview of the support association’s new board:
Andreas Pöhlmann (Sparkasse Hochfranken, Chairman of the Board of Friends and Supporters of Hof University of Applied Sciences e.V.),
Michael von Hertell ( Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Upper Franconia, Bayreuth; Vice Chairman of the Board of Friends and Supporters of Hof University of Applied Sciences e.V.),
Dr. Michael Braun (RÖDL, Treasurer),
Ahmet Cak (GEALAN Fenster-Systeme GmbH),
Philipp Ebbinghaus (Sandler AG),
Dr. Jochen Endrejat (RAPA Group),
Maximilian Häusler (Dennree GmbH),
Wolfgang Hofmann (AOK Hof-Wunsiedel Regional Office),
Dr. Alexander Strunz (LAMILUX Heinrich Strunz Group),
Markus Vogler (Vogler Engineering GmbH),
as well as auditors Tobias Reisse (VR Bank Bayreuth-Hof eG) and Michael Maurer (Sparkasse Hochfranken).
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Dorothee Strunz, Dr. Christian Heinrich Sandler, Dr. Roman Pausch, Angela Schmidt, and Bernd Schnabel, who did not stand for reelection and are stepping down from the board of the support association.
Another highlight of the event was the guest lecture by Prof. Dr. habil. Carsten Stark on the topic “Democracy and Social Division: The Significance of Social Media.” In his talk, he examined the impact of social media on democratic decision-making processes. Drawing on philosopher Jürgen Habermas’s ideas on deliberative democracy, Stark demonstrated how social media is changing public discourse, reinforcing filter bubbles, and often giving opinions greater weight than verifiable facts. This, he argued, poses new challenges for democratic decision-making processes. His central call was that the internet and social media must not remain a legal vacuum.
About the Society of Friends and Supporters of Hof University of Applied Sciences e.V.
The Society of Friends and Supporters of Hof University (Hochschule Hof e. V.) was founded in 1993 as a result of a citizens’ initiative and has since supported numerous projects in the areas of teaching, research, public relations, and the university’s strategic development. Examples from recent years range from funding the university band and the university magazine “campuls” to scholarships for international students and support for student initiatives such as HofSpannung Motorsport e. V. or the student café “Auszeit.” Innovative awards such as the “Digital Transformation of Teaching” and the Research Award also bear the association’s hallmark. With over 160 members, the Friends of Hof University Association serves as a vital pillar in the connection between the university, the business community, society, and alumni—driven by the shared goal of providing the best possible support for Hof University’s development.
