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Starting this fall, Aalen University Professors with extensive research experience in their field will be able to independently lead research assistants in pursuing a Doctorate degree. Photo: Aalen University | Christian Frumolt.

A big step has been taken on the way to receiving the right to award doctorate degrees at universities of applied sciences; The Baden-Württemberg Doctoral Association was founded on Thursday, July 14th, after the meeting of its constituents. Members of the Doctoral Association include 21 state universities of applied sciences as well as 3 universities run by the church. With this, the foundation has been laid for an independent doctoral awarding program of universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg. “We want to offer another opportunity for further qualification to research-savvy graduate students,” Minister for Science Theresia Bauer commented. Professors proven effective in their research will be able to independently lead graduates through a doctorate program starting this fall.

It is not new for research assistants from Aalen University to successfully complete doctorate programs. In the Past, a tandem of professors from Aalen University and another university mentored most of these graduates. The research work predominantly took place in Aalen, but the title was then awarded by the participating universities, since previously only they were allowed to award the doctorate. This will change starting in the fall: the formation of the Doctoral Association of Universities of Applied Sciences Baden-Württemberg is a very important step forward. In the future, the right to award doctorates and the title will lie with this Association and not with individual universities as in other federal states. The last hurdle to be cleared before the Association officially receives the right to award doctorates is the approval of the state parliament's Science Committee in September. The core element of the new Doctoral Association is the Doctoral Center. Professors from different disciplines who can prove that they are actively conducting research through scientific publications and grant research projects can apply to become a member of this Center: another difference to the doctoral model at universities, where any professor can guide doctoral candidates to a doctorate.

The University Gaining Appeal

"We expect that, starting in the fall, up to 30 professors at the university who are strong in research will independently supervise doctorates," President Professor Dr. Harald Riegel said happily after the constituent meeting of the Doctoral Association. This means that the extraordinary research achievements at universities of applied sciences will be recognized. Not only our university but also the entire East-Wuerttemberg region will benefit greatly from this quality-assured Association. Professor Dr. Volker Knoblauch, Vice President for Research at Aalen University, agrees: "The possibility of being able to lead doctoral students directly to a doctorate in the future enormously increases our attractiveness not only as a place to study and as an employer in the competition for the best young scientists, but also for new highly qualified professors."

Former Rector as Driving Force

The path to the right to award doctorates was a long, arduous, but rewarding one for universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg, and Aalen University played a major role in shaping it. "I would have wished that the right to award doctorates for the Doctoral Association had been granted during the active term of office of President Professor Dr. Gerhard Schneider. He has fought for this with a lot of heart and soul over the last 10 years," Riegel said, acknowledging the efforts of his predecessor in office and adding: "However, as an active rector, I am at least equally pleased with our current 70 doctoral students." Now, the doctoral association just needs to get up and running.