Hof University of Applied Sciences honors the long-standing commitment of the Hans Viessmann Technology Foundation, which has provided numerous impulses for teaching, research and student support for many years. With considerable financial resources, the foundation strengthens the further development of the university location and opens up new opportunities for innovative projects.
The figures are impressive:
From 2016 to 2021, we funded an endowed professorship for six years with a total of 720,000 euros. From 2021 to 2024, ten different projects were added with a total of almost 500,000 euros. in 2025, we then funded three further projects with 110,000 euros, meaning that pure project funding now amounts to around 600,000 euros.”
Rainer Schmidt, Managing Director of the foundation
He adds: “Added to this is the annual prize money of 2,000 euros, which we use to recognize special achievements by students at the graduation ceremony. We will gladly continue to actively support Hof University of Applied Sciences in the future within the scope of our possibilities.”
Three particularly exciting projects are currently being supported, which demonstrate the broad spectrum of the foundation’s work:
– MANTA-Phantom:
The aim of the project is to develop an innovative training device for catheter handling in radiology. Students can use it to practice complex procedures in a practical setting without any risks to patients. The phantom can be used in a variety of ways, for example in urology, and is to be made available worldwide as an open source solution. This means it could also make an important contribution to medical training in emerging and developing countries in the future.
– MycoBio:
This project is dedicated to the development of insulation boards based on fungal mycelia. The bio-based materials combine sustainability with high technical performance and should be able to replace conventional insulating materials such as mineral wool or polystyrene in the long term. MycoBio impressively demonstrates how research at Hof University of Applied Sciences produces solutions for climate protection that are both economically viable and can find their way into practice.
– RuPert:
Innovative textile pipe systems for sustainable rainwater management are being developed here. By combining circular needling and radial braiding, stable yet permeable permeation pipes are developed that are made from natural materials such as wool and willow wood. They are based on the principle of the sponge city: rainwater is stored decentrally, infiltrated and released again when required. This makes it possible to cushion periods of drought and reduce the risk of flooding – an innovative approach to counter the consequences of climate change.
The Hans Viessmann Technology Foundation was established with the aim of promoting science, research and education, particularly in the engineering sciences, applied natural sciences and in the field of sustainable technologies. Through its support at Hof University of Applied Sciences, it makes a significant contribution to strengthening practice-oriented teaching and application-oriented research and offering students the best possible learning and development conditions.
University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann expressly thanked the foundation for its beneficial work over the years:
‘The Hans Viessmann Technology Foundation is a reliable partner that strengthens Hof University of Applied Sciences in very crucial areas – all of which also benefits the entire region. We are extremely grateful for this.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of the University
