PKNRWobtainsrightto conferdoctorates youtu.be/YkQQ7dZN_VM Milestone for applied research

Graduate School for Applied Research in NRW awarded the right to confer doctorates

On 17 November 2022, the time had finally come. Ina Brandes, Minister of Science and Culture in NRW, awarded the Graduate School for Applied Research in NRW (PK NRW) the independent right to confer doctorates after the Science Council had issued a recommendation to this effect in July. The universities of applied sciences in NRW can now independently conduct doctoral procedures and confer PhD degrees. Previously, this was only possible in cooperation with a university. This “step consistent with science policy,” according to H-BRS President and PK NRW Board Member Hartmut Ihne, is a milestone –also for Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg.

Celebration: The H-BRS delegation with professors and employees at the awarding of right to confer doctorates in Essen

Pioneering work by H-BRS

As a research-intensive university of applied sciences, H-BRS has been pursuing the issue of doctoral studies for a long time – with the establishment of the Graduate Institute (GI) in 2010, for instance. Doctoral students are supported in their PhD projects here and furthered in their scientific development through a number of qualifications on offer. Since the GI was established, 54 doctoral examination procedures have been completed successfully at H-BRS. Currently, about 120 doctoral projects are in progress. In addition to the natural sciences and computer science, there are now also more and more projects from engineering, the management sciences and social policy. The independent right to confer doctorates gives new impetus to the research work of H-BRS, which combines theory and practice. This is because it can now tap into new research funds that were previously closed. This also makes the university of applied sciences more attractive for students, the researchers of tomorrow.

As of February 2023, 366 professors and associated members from a total of 21 universities of applied sciences in the state belong to the Graduate School of Applied Research in NRW. Only professors who have proven their strength in research can become members and subsequently conduct doctorates with the help of the institution. 37 professors of Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg currently hold membership. University President Hartmut Ihne is a member of the Board.

More on the Graduate School: www.pknrw.de