29 June 2026

Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena, Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences are launching a structured consultation process on administrative reform.

Photo: Silvio Hungsberg

Erfurt/Jena/Nordhausen/Schmalkalden, (29 June 2026). The four state universities of applied sciences (HAW) in Thuringia – Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences in Jena, Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences – are working together to prepare their university administrations for the challenges of the coming years.

On 17 June 2026, the second of three planned engagement workshops took place at Erfurt University of Applied Sciences; these workshops are being organised by the four universities in collaboration with the higher education consultancy rheform.

Responding to challenges together

Demographic change, a worsening shortage of skilled workers, advancing digitalisation and increasingly scarce public funding are presenting higher education institutions with growing challenges. The chancellors of the four universities of applied sciences have therefore decided to address these developments at an early stage, jointly and with a view to the future. The aim is to ensure that, through closer integration of administrative services – extending as far as shared service structures – professional services for research, teaching and student life at all four campuses are not only maintained but also specifically developed and strengthened in the future. The focus of the HAW chancellors is on the administrative areas of the university for which they are responsible. 

In order to manage this process of change in a structured manner, whilst taking all relevant perspectives into account, the four universities have jointly commissioned the Munich-based higher education consultancy rheform. rheform supports universities and research institutions in strategic, organisational and transformation processes, combining science management, organisational development and data analysis.

Three-stage consultation process

The participation process is divided into three workshop-based formats, which bring different perspectives to the development of a joint roadmap:

• Workshop with the staff councils of the four universities of applied sciences (completed, 12 May 2026)
• Workshop with academics from the four universities of applied sciences to incorporate the internal customer perspective (completed, 17 June 2026)
• Workshop with administrative and technical staff (scheduled for 20 August 2026)

Science helps shape public administration

At the workshop held on 17 June 2026 at the Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, just under 40 representatives from the faculties and departments of all four universities came together – including professors, lecturers with special responsibilities, research assistants, faculty management teams and staff from the deans’ offices. Several deans and vice-deans were also in attendance, as was a vice-president for academic affairs and teaching.

The focus was on the question of what administrative services the academic community at the four universities will require in future: in which areas does it wish to receive greater support, which tasks could be carried out on a cross-university basis, and where will on-site contact persons remain indispensable in future? The findings will be collated on 2 July 2026 during a joint consolidation workshop organised by the universities and presented to the participants.

Next steps

Following the consolidation of the findings from the first two workshops, the third workshop will take place on 20 August 2026 – this time with administrative and technical staff from the four universities of applied sciences, again at Erfurt University of Applied Sciences. Based on all three participatory formats, a roadmap will then be developed to serve as a framework for the further structural development of administrative cooperation.

About the participating universities

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is a state university in Thuringia with a practice-orientated range of courses in the fields of engineering, economics, social sciences and sustainability. Around 2,000 students from numerous countries are currently studying at the Weinberghof campus. Research and teaching are closely networked with regional and international partners from business, society and science.

Erfurt University of Applied Sciences

Erfurt University of Applied Sciences is committed to practice-based teaching and applied research under the guiding principle „We shape transformation“. Across its six faculties, it offers a diverse range of degree programmes, comprising 17 Bachelor’s and 19 Master’s degree programmes. Around 4,100 students benefit from a high proportion of practical training, close collaboration with industry and institutions, and a course of study that combines academic knowledge with professional application.

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences

Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences is a state university in Thuringia offering practice-oriented degree programmes. In addition to traditional degree programmes in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, economics and business law, it also offers new interdisciplinary degree programmes such as business psychology. The campus in Schmalkalden is diverse and international: more than 50 per cent of the approximately 3,000 students come from abroad.

Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena

The Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena was founded in 1991 as the Jena University of Applied Sciences, making it one of the first of its kind in the new federal states. For several years now, it has been not only Thuringia’s largest university of applied sciences, but also the one with the strongest research profile. Currently, around 4,200 young people are studying on the approximately 50 Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. In addition, around 560 people are employed in the fields of academia, administration, technical services and the library.

About rheform

reform is one of the leading specialist higher education consultancy firms in the German-speaking world. The Munich-based company supports universities and research institutions with strategic, organisational and transformation processes. In doing so, rheform combines academic management, organisational development, data analysis and campus and infrastructure development.