Since its foundation in 1991, the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam has established itself as an important player in the scientific community, not only in the region of Brandenburg and Berlin, but also internationally. The type of courses on offer at the university range from (civil) engineering, to social and information sciences, as well as cultural and creative courses of study. Through the medium of its competence networks "New Media and Knowledge Management", "The Building and Cultural Landscape of Brandenburg" "Social and Cultural Construction of Society", the University reflects the atmosphere of the region of Brandenburg itself, one which combines both modernity and tradition.
The University of Applied Sciences offers excellent conditions for both individual and co-operative study, with 100 lecturers and professors responsible for around 2,500 students. The new laboratory and workshop complex at the Campus in Pappelallee is the ideal setting for research and development in co-operation with business and public institutions.
The University places particular value on the importance of a cross-disciplinary education, one which encompasses a broad spectrum of events and courses combined with practical training, trips abroad and lectures from well-known experts. All of this enhances both the theoretical and practical side of studying and conveys social and communicative key competences. It also provides the foundation stones for independence, meaning that students are well prepared for their chosen future careers.
The type of applied research, design and development carried out in the University’s individual faculties contribute significantly towards innovation and enable rapid adjustments to changes in the market or to social, structural or cultural shifts to be made. The fact that the University is nationally one of the highest earners of non-governmental funding provides clear evidence of this. In order to achieve such an integrated and innovative approach, the University has always actively sought partners from the worlds of science and business, culture and society.
An excellent example of one such alliance is the Klaus Krone Endowment Professorship for Innovative Supply of Services and Technologically Oriented Start ups. European co-operations, in particular the university’s ties with Eastern Europe, as well as its partnerships with, among others, Singapore, Taiwan and Latin America and the USA enable global themes to be tackled and allow for the development of problem solving approaches within an international context. Through addressing these real-life tasks and challenges, a more relevant type of study is made possible. Knowledge and technological transfer as well as a broadly based scientific programme of training programmes add to what the University has to offer and make it an institution with an important role to play in the development of the region.
