On the way to the University Development Plan 4 (2026 to 2030)

Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS) is currently drawing up its University Development Plan (HEP) 4, which sets out its priorities and goals in the areas of education, research and transfer for the years 2026 to 2030. The entire university is called upon to contribute ideas to the development of the plan.

Erweitertes Präsidium Auftakt HEP 2025-01-27 Foto Pieper

The extended President's Office at the launch of the HEP process in January. Photo: H-BRS

"The university development plan is our strategic roadmap and provides an important orientation framework for the next five years," says University President Marion Halfmann. She believes that H-BRS is in a good starting position. "We can build on our successes in research and teaching, and there are also many opportunities arising from being embedded into a fast-growing region."

Priorities for the next five years

The extended President's Office set the course for the HEP process at the end of January by defining the foundations of the new University Development Plan in a two-day workshop. "HEP 4 represents an opportunity to further develop Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg in a long-term and sustainable manner. The aim is to develop a clear profile, set priorities and become more efficient in order to make the university fit for the future. The changing demands of society, science and the world of work guide our actions," as stated in the planning principles, which were confirmed by the Senate on 20 February.

Ideas for fields of action, profiles and conditions required

The HEP is structured into fields of action, profile fields and conditional fields, which can be filled with ideas during the process by university organisations and individuals from the university. They are invited to propose goals and measures within the specified fields.

The fields of action are derived from the NRW Higher Education Act: The tasks of universities of applied sciences are education, research and development as well as transfer tasks. This triad is of central importance for the HEP.

The profile fields represent subject areas in which H-BRS already has great potential, which should be particularly cultivated and further developed in the future. These subject areas are

digitisation and artificial intelligence
social responsibility and sustainability
innovation and entrepreneurship
internationalisation

The conditional fields include topics, in which the university must be well positioned internally in order to be successful in the fields of action and profile. Specifically, these are:

processes and structures
diversity and equality
university culture
appeal for students

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One of the four profile fields: Digitisation and AI. Photo: H-BRS

Submit proposals by 30 April

The heads of the university organisations and the committees of the student body have received a handout on the HEP process with documents in which they can enter their proposals for the individual fields. This is not just about visions, but also about implementation and the question of resources.

All employees of the university have the opportunity to contribute ideas via their organisations, and students via their committees. Independently of this procedure, all university members have the opportunity to submit their own suggestions directly via an online survey. This offer is also intended for alumni.

All proposals for the University Development Plan should be submitted by 30 April.

Core team is the central contact point

A core project team was formed to further implement and monitor the HEP 4 process and is the central contact point. Various groups and organisational units at H-BRS are represented on the committee. Its members are Angelika Stabenow, Stephanie Lorek, Angela Turck, Stefan Freitag, Sylvia Müller, Nadine Wietbrock, Jürgen Garbisch, Marie-Louise Kerpa, Katja Kluth and Dominik Pieper. The team reports to the President's Office and the extended President's Office on an ongoing basis.

Stefan Freitag as moderator at the HEP kick-off workshop. Photo: H-BRS

Decision not before autumn 2025

The President's Office will review all submitted initiatives and, following discussions with contributors and committees, decide which goals and measures will ultimately be included in the university development plan. An important aspect here is the available resources. The final decision is not expected before autumn 2025.

"I would like to thank you now for your commitment and support," says University President Marion Halfmann in a video message to the university members. "I am very much looking forward to this phase of intensive collaboration."

If you have any questions about the HEP, please contact the core team via email to hochschulentwicklungsplan@h-brs.de.

Take part now: The HEP survey

In the online survey on the HEP, all members of the university and alumni can submit suggestions for the further development of H-BRS until 30 April. Contribute your perspectives, your ideas and your expertise! Every re-registration counts.

To the survey