About Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt

With more than 9.300 students and about 200 professors, the technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, or THWS, is one of the biggest universities of applied sciences in Bavaria. THWS was founded in 1971 with two locations which are successful to this day - in the the cities of Würzburg and Schweinfurt. THWS's ten faculties offer more than 40 bachelor's and master's degree programmes. The broad and forward-looking programmes cover technology, economics, social sciences, computer sciences, visual design and language. A practical semester, project work and a high share of practical work in laboratories and seminars underline the importance of a practice-oriented approach at THWS. THWS is also a part of "hochschule dual", an initiative by Bavarian universities of applied sciences which offers a dual study programme, either as a combined studies programme (training + studies) or as studies with intensified practice (studies + integrated practical/internship phases). Research activities are undertaken not only in cooperation close to practice with regional companies and institutes, but also in national and international research projects. As part of the research map of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), THWS defines two main research areas: Energy technology and efficiency, and mobility and people. THWS focuses on internationalisation as its differentiation strategy and has set itself the objective of being an international university where students from many different nations learn and study together. To accomplish this, THWS has introduced an award-winning model of degree programmes unique in Germany. There, bachelor's programmes taught in English are offered as Twin-Programmes that are basically identical to their German equivalent. Thus students have the opportunity to switch between the degree programme taught in English and the one taught in German during their course of studies. In addition, THWS is part of a worldwide network of about 140 international   partner institutions where THWS-students can do a semester abroad. Digitalisation is changing the world of work and will gain further importance in future. THWS is embracing this development by its digitalisation strategy. It includes a view outside, that is towards its students and imparting the related competence, but also a view inside, that is promoting digitalisation within the organisational structure of THWS. Additionally, THWS is a member of the Centre for Digital Innovations Mainfranken (ZDI) which supports and encourages digital business start-ups. The THWS Campus for Professional Development and Language Proficiency is cooperating with companies and international higher education institutions to offer an innovative and practice-oriented programme in different disciplines geared toward individuals, companies and members of staff at THWS interested in continuing education.

Key staff for the project:

These members of the International Management Office as well as the Professors attached to this special Department of the Faculty of Economics and Business Adminstration at THWS are mainly involved in several European and national R&D projects:

Prof. Dr. Rainer Wehner is a professor for General Business and Accounting at THWS. He is the Director of International Relations at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration and responsible for the faculty’s Double Degree programmes. Before he started his University career he worked in the tax consulting business and in a software company (DATEV e.G.). Beside the membership in several international networks and research projects he is the founder of the Würzburg International Business Forum (WIBF), an annually occurring international business conference. Furthermore he is responsible for the faculty’s activities in the region of Europe.

Markus Engert M.Sc. joined the International Management Team of THWS as Research Assistant in 2018, after two years as an expert in tax law for non-profit organisations at Steinbeis in Stuttgart. His focus at THWS is on Internationalisation, in particular further expansion of the international orientation and the sustainable international posititioning of the faculty in the context of globalisation, diversity and mobility in business and society. Besides the coordination of the Double Degree programmes he is also involved in the development of courses of study as well as responsible for the faculty’s activities in the regions of North America, Caucasus and Central Asia.

Dominik Winkler M.Sc. joined the technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt as a Research Assistant to support the education of accounting and taxation. In 2016 he was one of the founding members of the Team International Management at THWS and supported the internationalisation of the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration since then. In addition, he is responsible for the so-called SD3i project, which is about the scientific based introduction of a new study and qualification programme, considering the chances of digitalization in an international environment and the intercultural and interdisciplinary context.

Katharina Götz B.A. tbd