A new doctoral center for system-integrated engineering at Hessian universities of applied sciences further strengthens the region as a hub for research and innovation. The doctoral center – a collaboration between Hochschule RheinMain, Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and Fulda University of Applied Sciences – will begin its work on October 1, 2025. In 2016, Hesse was the first German state to allow its universities of applied sciences to apply for independent rights to award doctorates in research-intensive fields. The new doctoral center for system-integrated engineering brings Hesse’s total to eight such institutions, hosting around 300 doctoral students.
Science Minister Timon Gremmels: “Amid rapid technological change, research collaboration across universities and disciplines is crucial, especially at universities of applied sciences, which seek innovative and practical solutions to today’s challenges. The new doctoral center strengthens this joint effort bringing together the engineering expertise of its member universities, attracting talent from Germany and abroad, and creating prospects for future engineers while contributing to the qualification of skilled workers.”
Diverse fields of research
Researchers at the new doctoral center focus on resource efficiency, sustainable energy supply, medical and physical technologies, and digitalized systems. For example, they are studying how future energy grids must be designed to be socially acceptable, economically viable and capable of meeting demand. Other research topics include advances in medical engineering through novel materials and functionalized surfaces, as well as aspects of digital and technological sovereignty. At the same time, doctoral candidates benefit from excellent, quality-assured conditions throughout their journey toward a doctorate.
An independent commission of experts reviewed the universities' application and highlighted the system-integrated approach and the well-designed qualification program for doctoral candidates. The right to award doctorates in system-integrated engineering is initially limited to eight years and will then be re-evaluated, as is standard for all Hessian doctoral centers, ensuring quality and fostering further development.
“Milestone for Hesse”
“The new cross-university, interdisciplinary doctoral center for system-integrated engineering marks another milestone for Hesse. We are delighted that, as universities of applied sciences, we can now support our own junior researchers in earning a doctorate in this profile-defining field. The doctoral center complements the other research strengths of the participating universities and further enhances their visibility,” says Prof. Dr. Eva Waller, President of Hochschule RheinMain, the lead university in the applicant process.
When the first doctoral center opened at Fulda University of Applied Sciences in 2016, it drew attention far beyond Hesse. Today, young scientists are pursuing their doctoral theses in application-oriented research projects at eight centers. Following a comprehensive evaluation in 2022, an independent scientific commission concluded that Hesse‘s universities of applied sciences had successfully established the independent right to award doctorates for research-intensive fields. Many other states have since adopted the Hessian model.
The Hessian doctoral centers at a glance
- Fulda Graduate Centre of Social Sciences (Fulda University of Applied Sciences)
- Public Health (Fulda University of Applied Sciences)
- Social Work (Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule RheinMain, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences)
- Computer Science (Hochschule RheinMain, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences)
- Sustainability Sciences (Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences)
- Life Science Engineering (Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen)
- Mobility and Logistics (Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Hochschule RheinMain)
- System-Integrated Engineering (Hochschule RheinMain, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen)
(Source: Press release from the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture)