SZTU’s high-level forum on Universities of Applied Sciences was successfully held under the theme of Internationalization and Master Education at Universities of Applied Sciences on September 27. The Forum gathered great minds from German and Swiss universities of applied sciences, including Prof. Gerhard Schneider, president of Aalen University, Prof. Robert Grebner, president of University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (FHWS), Prof. Thomas Fuhrmann, vice president of University of Applied Sciences - OTH Regensburg, Prof. Dirk Jacob, vice president of Kempten University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Markus Wächter, managing director of German Institute of Science and Technology, TUM Asia, Prof. Volker Koch, director of the Master’s Programs Division, Department of Engineering and Information Technology, Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), and Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU).

More than 270 participants attend the Forum. [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Before the Forum got started, SZTU organized a tree-planting ceremony at the public teaching building. Prof. Zhang Jihong, Party secretary of SZTU, Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU, Prof. Zhang Yanhong, deputy Party secretary and secretary of Committee for Discipline Inspection of SZTU, Prof. Xu Gang, vice president of SZTU, over 50 international professors and SZTU faculty members attended the ceremony. The little seeds stand for a bright future of SZTU and a new way of building a university of applied sciences in Shenzhen.

Prof. Zhang Jihong, Party secretary of SZTU believes that a young university as SZTU will grow up like a tree. [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU thanks all the guests for being supportive for SZTU’s development and the International Week. [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Zhang Yanhong, deputy Party secretary and secretary of Committee for Discipline Inspection of SZTU shows her support for the various programs during the International Week. [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Xu Gang, vice president of SZTU is confident that SZTU will carry on the legacy of Shenzhen’s spirit. [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

The little seeds stand for a bright future of SZTU. [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Gerhard Schneider, president of Aalen University [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Schneider made a speech titled Missions of Universities of Applied Sciences - example Aalen University. He elaborated on the important roles of universities of applied sciences on student cultivation, scientific research and social progress. In his speech, Prof. Schneider pointed out that the missions of universities of applied sciences should include research, education and services. In addition, in order to tackle the new challenges brought about by artificial intelligence, internationalization and sustainable development, universities of applied sciences need to cultivate talents with international vision, professional skills and comprehensive competencies.

Prof. Robert Grebner, president of FHWS [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Grebner threw a thought-provoking question at his speech: theory or practice, which one is more important? Prof. Grebner gave his own answer to that question during his presentation. He revealed that FHWS shoulders the mission of making students to sophisticated practical problem solvers. To this end, universities should strike a balance between theory and practice, providing a platform of free learning and practice for students.

Prof. Thomas Fuhrmann, vice president of University of Applied Sciences - OTH Regensburg [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

At the beginning of his speech, Prof. Fuhrmann briefly touched upon the motivation for international master education, benefit for students, industry and university, and examples at OTH Regensburg. He underscored the importance of meeting the needs of international companies. For students, he mentioned three ways to improve students’ competencies, like intercultural competencies, language competencies and high quality scientific lectures for high technical competencies.

Prof. Dirk Jacob, vice president of Kempten University of Applied Sciences [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Jacob brought up a new concept, that is “Makeathon”. It is a university-enterprise cooperation project that gathers the brightest and most creative students and gives them the tools to make something truly great. Prof. Jacob hopes that the future cooperation with SZTU could integrate the makeathon concept into the winter/summer school programs. He believes that more opportunities for practice will improve students’ intercultural competencies.

Prof. Markus Wächter, managing director of German Institute of Science and Technology, TUM Asia [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Wächter revealed the secret of TUM Asia being the top ten in Global Employability Survey. He said TUM_Asia emphasized on international education. Experienced professors from Munich, Singapore or various companies would be invited to TUM Asia for lectures, helping students to catch up with the latest trends in industries. In addition, TUM Asia has a close cooperation with National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University.

Prof. Volker Koch, director of the Master’s Programs Division, Department of Engineering and Information Technology, Bern University of Applied Sciences [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Koch said that master education at universities of applied sciences should be application-oriented. He mentioned three types of masters, full-time, part-time and industry-sponsored masters, and different modules. The audience were impressed by the major module “Electronic Implants” used for aiding Parkinson’s patients. At the end of his presentation, he called for further cooperation with SZTU.

Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU [Photo by SZTU Publicity Office]

Prof. Ruan reviewed on the progress on SZTU founding history, campus construction, discipline development, talent cultivation, teaching staff, international cooperation and university-enterprise cooperation. In his speech, he mentioned the measures needed for making SZTU stronger. Firstly, SZTU will open up further for international exchanges and set up overseas offices for international cooperation. Secondly, SZTU will work with partner universities on jointly cultivating talents. Thirdly, on the basis of “Consortium between SZTU and Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences”, SZTU will advance the construction of joint labs with partner universities. Fourthly, SZTU will set up foundation for university-enterprise cooperation, helping international professors conduct scientific research and talent trainings. Last but not least, SZTU aims to promote the master education and nurture talents with innovation abilities.