idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
Science is inconceivable without international networking and intercultural competences. Major challenges of modern societies require global solutions. Internationalisation is therefore an important part of how Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) sees itself. With the "ToFI 2.0 - Together for Innovation" project, H-BRS is intensifying three international partnerships over the next three years and adding a transfer component to the collaboration. The DAAD is funding the project from January 2026 with a total of around 450,000 euros.
In recent years, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences has established strategic partnerships with universities in Ghana (University of Cape Coast) and Jordan (German Jordanian University) and intensified its collaboration with the University of New Brunswick in Canada. It is now embarking on a new phase of this cooperation with the "ToFI 2.0 - Together for Innovation" project. The addition of practice partners and thus the transfer dimension will promote structural, cross-border cooperation between science and business.
"With ToFI 2.0, we are creating new ways of linking research, teaching and business, as well as university culture, across national borders and further expanding the role of the university as an internationally networked driver of innovation," says Dr Rahel Hutgens, Head of the International Office at H-BRS. The International Office and the Centre for Science and Technology Transfer (ZWT) have jointly developed the project and are now bringing it to life.
The aim is to transfer the concept of applied science to a global context, to learn from each other and to identify both common and regionally specific success factors for successful transfer. Dr Simon Roth, Head of the ZWT, emphasises: "Successful transfer depends very much on regional conditions and is therefore different for every innovation ecosystem. It is therefore very exciting for us to learn from our international, strategic partners and at the same time contribute our experience and our corporate network."
In addition to the three universities in Ghana, Jordan and Canada, H-BRS will also work with regional companies. These so-called "triangle collaborations" between H-BRS, partner universities and companies are intended to create transnational innovation networks. Companies benefit from new access to international markets, talent and innovation impulses. Students, researchers and employees will have extended opportunities for international project work, mobility and practical experience.
The H-BRS project "ToFI 2.0" was launched on 1 January 2026 and will be funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in the "HAW.International" programme with a total of around 450,000 euros over the next three years. With "HAW.International", the DAAD is specifically supporting the internationalisation of universities of applied sciences (HAW). The aim of the programme, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), is to further strengthen the global networking of HAWs and promote practice-oriented international formats.
"We are delighted that the DAAD has selected our ToFI 2.0 project for funding. We hope that this will provide a lot of impetus for our international networking, especially for strengthening our knowledge and technology transfer at regional and global level, which will certainly set us apart as a university of applied sciences," says Professor Teena Chakkalayil Hassan, Vice President International Affairs and Digitalisation at H-BRS. "International cooperation is very important to us, as different perspectives and approaches are essential for innovation in research, teaching and transfer. It strengthens intercultural skills and contributes to a cosmopolitan and tolerant climate, because it is not just about finding common ground, but also about appreciating heterogeneity. In today's geopolitical situation, this is hugely important and with the wide range of digital possibilities, the potential for international cooperation is greater than ever before."
Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences had previously established its strategic partnerships with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana and the German Jordanian University in Jordan as well as the intensified cooperation with the University of New Brunswick in Canada with the help of DAAD funding in the "TOFI - TakeOff4Internationalisation" and "STREAM - Strengthening Ties in Research, Education and Academic Mobility" projects.
Dr. Rahel Hutgens
Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
International Office
e. rahel.hutgens@h-brs.de
https://www.h-brs.de/en/kum/press_release/h-brs-strengthens-international-scient...
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