President: ‘We have the strength and energy to shape our world in a positive way’

The political situation around the world is concerning. War and conflict dominate the news. However, the president of Hochschule Bremen - City University of Applied Sciences (HSB) called for optimism and confidence at the New Year's reception. ‘Together, we can achieve a lot and bring about change despite all the challenges we face,’ said Prof. Dr Konrad Wolf at the event on 30 January. Change and progress also characterise the development of HSB. The university plays an important role in transferring knowledge to business and society – whether through the introduction of doctoral programmes, strategic development in studies and teaching, the continuous expansion of dual study programmes with industry partners, or internationalisation. The president welcomed a special guest, the new State Councillor Karolina Kumar from Bremen's Senator for Environment, Climate and Science – an alumna of HSB. In addition, new HSB employees were given a warm welcome, as is tradition.

Karolina Kumar, State Councillor to the Senator for Environment, Climate and Science: "In times when autocrats are gaining influence, fake news is on the rise and research is being discredited, we are sending a clear signal: Bremen is a good place for studying, teaching and research – regionally connected and internationally networked. We trust in facts and understand critical discourse as the basis for genuine cooperation. Together with European partner universities, we are continuing to work on a European University within the framework of the STARS-EU network. Internationalisation is not only of great social importance, it is also a necessary strategy for the future. Hochschule Bremen is indispensable for Bremen as a centre of science. I am committed to ensuring that the framework conditions are right."

‘Thank you for your support. We are delighted to welcome you to your alma mater for the HSB New Year’s reception,’ says Konrad Wolf. ‘We look forward to a successful and constructive collaboration.’

HSB's right to grant PhDs is on its way

In 2025, HSB has made further progress in many areas and initiated strategic projects. One example is the right to grant PhDs: Until now, PhDs at HSB have been offered in cooperation with a university. In future, HSB's research-strong areas will be able to offer PhD programmes independently. A corresponding legal ordinance for universities of applied sciences (HAW) was signed by the Senator for the Environment, Climate and Science in 2024. HSB and Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences are currently working on corresponding concepts for implementation.

‘Campus2031@HSB’ is an important strategic project

There is also a lot going on at HSB in terms of studying and teaching: ‘We are changing study formats and introducing new courses in a very dynamic way – especially in relation to dual courses, but also English-language courses with a high proportion of international students,’ says the president. ‘Our aim is not only to attract additional students from abroad, but also to prepare them for living and working here during their studies so that they stay in Bremen or Germany if possible – and to a large extent, we are succeeding in this.’

An important strategic project in studies and teaching is ‘Campus2031@HSB’. Funded by the Foundation for Innovation in Higher Education, the project aims to advance HSB in key areas such as sustainability, curriculum development, artificial intelligence (AI) and campus development (cultural and spatial). The staff involved in this project are now on board at HSB to drive the project forward.

Internationalisation: new forms of cooperation are being added

HSB is also continuously developing its internationalisation. ‘The classic semester abroad is still the flagship of our international degree programmes,’ says Konrad Wolf. But new forms of cooperation, combined with strategic partnerships, are being added. The first double degree programmes are emerging. The focus of these new offerings is on STARS EU, HSB's university network with eight partner universities forming a European university.

‘Let us start this year with optimism – despite all the world’s absurdities’

Last but not least, the president called for optimism and confidence – despite the concerning global political situation. ‘None of us can save the world alone. At the same time, it is up to each and every one of us to shape the world in a positive way,’ said president Konrad Wolf. ‘We have the competence to do so. And we also have the strength and energy to shape our future in a positive way. Whether we have the will to do so is entirely up to us. Let us start this year with optimism – despite all this world’s absurdities.’