One of the principles of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is application-orientated teaching with direct practical relevance. In the winter semester 2015/16, six case studies were successfully worked on with partners from the regional economy under the direction of Dr Kareen Schlangen on the Master's degree programme "Innovation and Change Management". An insight into these practical projects was recently provided in the CoDeck. 

In each case, the questions and approach as well as a small section of the results were presented. The case study partners from the business world were Nordbrand Nordhausen GmbH, Bestattungshaus Nordhausen and Nordhäuser Gewerbeverein. The content of the projects ranged from analysing the future of the market and rejuvenating the image to innovative communication and sales strategies for customer acquisition. At the end of the presentations, the students and the clients took stock: the students' credo was clear: "Working on a specific issue for a company based here trains us at all levels - in terms of content, methodology, socially and, above all, personally. The learning effect is therefore extremely high and sustainable," explains Marcel Hardrath, a 3rd semester Master's student. The clients were full of praise for the collaboration and the results, with Robert Becke, Operations Manager at Nordbrand Nordhausen GmbH, proudly announcing that one of the results from the case studies is already in the implementation planning stage. 

The aim of this event was to demonstrate the mutual transfer of knowledge and networking between Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and the regional economy. This results in tangible benefits for both sides. While the students gain an insight into real-life practice and can apply their theoretical knowledge in practice, the business partner gains valuable impulses through new knowledge and a neutral view from the outside. Not forgetting the motivation of the students, as their results are then actually put into practice.

Cooperation between Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and the regional and national economy can also take other forms. In addition to joint research, theses at Bachelor's and Master's level in particular are classic forms of cooperation. Dr Kareen Schlangen is currently in contact with "NEW Engineering GmbH", a new company founded by Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, in order to find innovative answers to various questions in Master's theses. The start-up clearly recognises the advantages of this kind of stimulating collaboration. These include the neutral perspective on a specific question from the company and the fresh transfer of knowledge directly from the university into practice.