THWS receives approval for second graduate school "Lebenswelten im Wandel" (Changing Living Environments)
The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) has received approval for another graduate school from the Bavarian Ministry of Science: this means that students in the fields of social and health sciences can now also obtain a doctorate directly at THWS after completing their master's degree, without having to rely on cooperation with a university. This has already been possible for engineering graduates since the launch of the first THWS graduate school in March 2024.
Four new graduate schools are being established across Bavaria, as announced by Bavaria's Minister of Science Markus Blume: "This is the preliminary highlight of a young but impressive success story: young talents can now pursue their doctorates at graduate schools at all Bavarian higher education institutions. This allows us to establish a comprehensive network for application-oriented research across the entire Free State – enabling science to have a regional impact with enormous potential. Industry and businesses benefit enormously from the focus on application and practice."
Research strength decisive for application
Dr Christian Lengl, Head of the Campus for Applied Research and responsible for the THWS graduate schools, also emphasises the importance of this development: "The approval of our new graduate school for social and health sciences by the Bavarian State Ministry is a significant step for THWS. It enables us to further intensify research in these crucial areas and to promote talent that can play a decisive role in shaping the future and our changing living environments. This graduate school is the result of the dedicated efforts of 15 professors at our University, whose expertise and research strength made the application possible."
Professors from the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, the THWS Business School, and the Faculty of Computer Science and Business Informatics were involved in the application for the new graduate school "Changing Living Environments" or "LiWa" for short. Professor Dr. Tanja Henking, who played a key role in designing the graduate school, explains the project: "With its three research areas of health and well-being, digital transformation, and social change (with a special focus on migration), the graduate school concentrates on central aspects of changes in people's living environments. The analysis of the social, health, ethical and legal implications of these changes serves to explore person-centred approaches and mechanisms that promote health, well-being, social justice and participation."
Since 2023, graduate schools can be established at technical universities and universities of applied sciences in Bavaria. The basis for their establishment is the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act. Higher education institutions can apply for the subject-specific right to award doctorates in areas of particular research strength and receive it after undergoing a science-led assessment process. In addition to THWS, Munich University of Applied Sciences, Deggendorf Institute of Technology and the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Munich will each receive a new graduate school.
About THWS
The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Bavaria and has driven teaching and applied research since it was founded in 1971. With about 9,000 students and a wide range of more than 60 degree programmes, we cover a broad spectrum ranging from technology to economics and social sciences, language and design. THWS is not only rooted in the region, but also has a strong international focus, which is reflected in numerous collaborations and exchange programmes worldwide and not least in a versatile English-taught degree programmes.
Contact:
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Head of Campus for Applied Research
Dr. Christian Lengl
Münzstr. 12
97070 Würzburg
Press contact:
Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Angela Kreipl
Münzstr. 12
97070 Würzburg
+49 931 3511- 8354