Kiel University of Applied Sciences becomes HAW Kiel: A step into the future!

Kiel University of Applied Sciences becomes HAW Kiel: A step into the future!

In the future, Kiel University of Applied Sciences will operate under the name Kiel University of Applied Sciences, or HAW Kiel for short. This renaming will come into effect in the winter semester of 2025/26 and reflects the development of the university in recent decades. The institution's president, Björn Christensen, emphasizes that the university is more than just a teaching institution and notes that the term “technical college” is now outdated. This designation has already disappeared in many other federal states, as n-tv.de reports.

The Senate of the former university of applied sciences had already voted in favor of the renaming in spring 2024. In a survey among students, over 63 percent of participants expressed their approval of the new name. The student representatives in the Senate incorporated this sentiment into the decision, which underlines the democratic commitment of the students.

Background to the renaming

When the Kiel University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1969, several engineering schools and higher technical schools merged. Since then, the role of the university has changed significantly. According to the executive board, the name “university of applied sciences” can no longer reflect the current profile of the institution. Traditionally, universities of applied sciences often only focused on a specific discipline, while HAW Kiel now pursues a broader focus that also includes research and knowledge transfer. The new name communicates the modern direction of the university more clearly.

In Germany there are now only eight state universities that carry the title of technical college. Most private universities use this designation much more frequently. A rethink is therefore also necessary in terms of family policy and society in order to meet the new requirements for education and teaching. This transformation is part of a larger trend set in motion by higher education reform, which can be seen as a response to various social changes and demands on science and teaching. Historically, technological advances and international competition are the main drivers of this change, as are developments in the Bologna Process, which ensures uniform study programs in Europe (Wikipedia).

Step into the future

For HAW Kiel, the renaming represents a significant opportunity to increase its international visibility and set more modern standards, as Till Hillekamp from the General Student Committee emphasizes. Around 8,000 students are currently enrolled at HAW Kiel, and the university plays a central role in training the next generation of skilled workers in the region.

This development is not only a sign of modern higher education, but also an adaptation to the changing needs of society. The renaming serves as a symbol of the constant development of our education system, which must meet today's challenges. Having a good hand when it comes to education is therefore very trendy.