11 July 2025

As part of her summer tour this year, Thuringia's Minister of Finance, Katja Wolf, visited Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. The President, Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, welcomed the Minister to the campus and, together with the university management, presented her with key developments and strategic goals of the university.

The visit centred on an open exchange about current challenges in the higher education sector and the role of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences as a driving force for the region. President Wagner presented the structural and development plan for the years 2026 to 2030, which focuses on excellence in teaching, research as a driver of innovation, a future-oriented organisation, equal opportunities and sustainability in ecological, social and economic terms.

Attracting and retaining international specialists was also a key concern. Around 30 per cent of students in Nordhausen come from abroad. "We are doing everything we can to keep our international graduates in the region as excellently trained specialists," emphasised Wagner.

The Vice President for Research and Development, Prof Dr Viktor Wesselak, emphasised the university's strength in third-party funding: "With an average third-party funding ratio of around 100,000 euros per professor, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is one of the most active research institutions in the state. The direct transfer of knowledge to the region is a key element of our identity."

Prof Dr Cordula Borbe, Vice President for Studies and Teaching, also focused on this topic. She emphasised the growing importance of mental health in the university context. With its unique nationwide university social work programme, Nordhausen is taking on a pioneering role that could set a precedent in the long term.

The Chancellor, Jan Funke, also used the visit to take a look at the university's overall financial situation. He made it clear that rising costs - for example due to pay rises and price developments in individual areas - are putting the universities under increasing pressure. "We are exhausting all possibilities for consolidation, but are reaching structural limits. In order to maintain our efficiency, we need sustainable political solutions," said Funke.

As part of the tour, Minister Wolf also visited the University Incubator for Entrepreneurship (hike). Prof. Dr Lutz Göcke, head of the hike, gave a brief insight into the work of the start-up centre and emphasised its importance for the innovative strength of the region. With its programmes to support start-ups and those interested in founding a company, the hike makes an important contribution to promoting entrepreneurial spirit and regional value creation.

Finally, Minister Wolf took part in a tour of the campus and continued her dialogue with the university management over lunch in the canteen.