Appointed to a professorship: The path to the university

A progressive society with a healthy economy is dependent on specialist knowledge and expertise. These are provided by people who combine the strengths of several worlds and contribute to these goals. At Coburg University of Applied Sciences, one thing is certain: the professorship combines several careers in one profession. The Impetus project makes this visible._

Support staff, experts and researchers

Universities are particularly close to business and society. They train scientifically trained specialists and work on specific issues in their region in a problem-oriented manner. Coburg University of Applied Sciences, for example, has a cooperation agreement with the city of Coburg and is closely networked with many internationally active companies in the region.

University professors are more than just teachers: They train solution-oriented experts with practical skills. The job description offers a great deal of freedom in terms of how, when and where they teach. Teaching, research, transfer, university management and continuing education are a natural part of the job. You will be supported by academic support staff, for example in administration, who can also benefit from the many family-friendly advantages of university employment.

Dr. Matthias J. Kaiser, Chancellor of Coburg University of Applied Sciences, sees it as his task to make his institution the most modern and attractive employer in the public sector: "We focus strongly on people and their individual needs and requirements. This also means that we look after each other so that we feel comfortable with our work even in difficult times."

For employees, this includes flexible home office and working time arrangements as well as participation in the workplace. The university is also active in promoting family and health and is committed to diversity and sustainability. This is enshrined in its mission statement and is also practiced in the professorships.

"Profs" are also free to conduct research, as this is one of the basic laws along with the freedom of science and teaching. Research is often carried out in close cooperation with regional institutions that benefit from the transfer of knowledge, says Kaiser: "We radiate out from Coburg to the entire region and are represented at three other locations in Kronach, Lichtenfels and Bamberg. There we work cooperatively with local institutions."

The path to a professorship

But how do you actually become a professor? A professorship at a Bavarian university of applied sciences generally requires a doctorate and five years of professional experience, at least three of which must be gained outside the university sector. After a successful application, trial teaching events take place in which, among other things, pedagogical aptitude is tested alongside subject expertise.

What many people do not know or neglect: Social skills also play a role; after all, interdisciplinary work and co-administration of the university should work alongside the mandatory 18 semester hours per week. At the end of the selection process is the appointment by the university management. Professorial staff are usually civil servants for life and their remuneration is based on the Bavarian Salaries Act.

More support through funding programs

However, not everyone is aware of how attractive a career at a university can be, which is why Project Impetus staff approach suitable people directly. The service, which is funded as part of the federal-state initiative 'FH-Personal', is designed to attract and appeal to professorial staff and support them in their arrival - including through media in science communication.

From getting started in everyday working life to workshops and tailor-made didactic offers on site, the newly appointed professors are supported from the very beginning, assures project manager Dr. Julia Fischer: "Right from the start, we noticed that for many professors, arriving at a UAS and the associated changes are a major hurdle. That's where we come in and make it as easy as possible for them to get started and act as a contact, support and training partner even after onboarding."

We also offer transfer professorships, where more time is given to disseminating knowledge than to teaching. In tandem doctorates, doctoral students are networked with regional companies, says Fischer: "We can already see that our project is having a positive impact at the university."

More than a profession: a vocation!

Now is the best time to get involved, as Bavarian universities are experiencing a development boost like never before thanks to the "Bavarian High-Tech Agenda". The Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act, which has been in force since January 2023, aims to strengthen the autonomy of universities, facilitate innovation and promote talent. Coburg University of Applied Sciences now has the right to award doctorates itself.

In its strategy and development paper "On the way to University 2030", the university has not only committed itself to the active development of the region, a progressive image of humanity and future-oriented teaching, but also to the active promotion of women. Professorial work is more than just a job: it is a vocation and the foundation stone for an educated, solution-oriented and sustainable society.

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Coburg
Friedrich-Streib-Straße 2
96450 Coburg
Germany

https://www.hs-coburg.de/

impetus@hs-coburg.de

"We educate more than specialists. We educate people and develop personalities who play a responsible role in social, economic and ecological development." This is the core of the practice-oriented Coburg University of Applied Sciences, which educates around 4,700 students at four locations in the region (Coburg, Lichtenfels, Kronach, Bamberg).
With modern teaching and learning formats, and in cooperation with partners from the regional economy, the experts and specialists of tomorrow are prepared for their future activities.

Application-oriented knowledge is taught in the Faculties of Applied Natural Sciences and Health, Design, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, Social Work and Economics.
Part-time teaching in the Faculty of Continuing Education and cross-faculty work in the Science and Culture Center round off the offer.
Since September 2023, the university has also had its own two doctoral centers: "Analytics4Health" and "Sustainable and Intelligent Systems" (in cooperation with the TH Würzburg-Schweinfurt and the TH Aschaffenburg).

Sustainability, diversity and transfer are at the forefront of this constantly changing and evolving institution and are firmly anchored in the Strategy Paper 2030.

This release was published on openPR.