Success: The History of the TUHH
The TUHH is one of the youngest
universities in Germany as well as one of the most successful. Between 1982 and
today an attractive architectural ensemble was created on the TUHH campus in the
south of Hamburg. The campus, with its modern buildings, fits most naturally
into the surrounding parkland. With the combination of beauty and function the
university has become a landmark in city-planning.
Research work started in 1980 and in 1982/83 lecturing followed. Today around 100 senior lecturers/professors and 1.150 members of staff (450 scientists, including externally funded researchers) work at the TUHH. With an average of 5.000 students the TUHH offers a uniquely high ratio of staff to students.
The park-like campus provides a multifaceted environment, inspiring both social and intellectual exchange. The atmosphere can be clearly described:
young, innovative, unconventional, original and creative - ideal for the development of new ideas in engineering. The fundamental principles of the TUHH are unique in Germany; priority is given to research, interdisciplinary studies and innovation. Also central to our approach is a close working relationship with regional industries and, more recently, the achievement of international scale. The Leitmotiv we follow in our research, teaching and technology transfer is the development of technology for the benefit of mankind.
By primarily focussing on research, the TUHH has
developed its present profile. In addition to the annual public budget of DM 104
million, the TUHH, in cooperation with the TUHH-Technologie GmbH, has succeeded
in raising another DM 40 million in research funds in 2000. In so doing, the
TUHH reaches the front position in the league table of all German universities.
The TUHH provides the chairman of the German Research Council (Deutsche
Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG) in a special field of research (Micromechanics of
Multiphase Materials). Furthermore there is a DFG research group (Submillimeter
Wave Technology) and a special graduate program (Marine Constructions) which are
sponsored by the DFG. The interdisciplinary organizational structure of the TUHH
effectively encourages successful collaboration between all
branches of engineering. The TUHH plays an important role in the scientific
community on a national and international scale.
Interdisciplinary Studies Promote Success in Teaching, Research and Technology Transfer
The organization of teaching and research is creative and state of the art. Instead of opting for traditional faculties, the TUHH chose to separate administrations for teaching and for research: research is conducted in departments, teaching is divided into schools of study. Scientists from different subjects work together in the departments. Curricula are organized by academic speciality, depending on the course of study followed. Experience shows that this form of organization increases the flexibility of the TUHH. Proof of this may be found in a wide range of multi-disciplinary co-operative projects.
Modern engineers have to be able to go beyond their special subjects and think systematically. Their creativity, ideas and solutions form the foundation for technical innovations to the benefit of society as well as industry. For these reasons, students at the TUHH become involved in current projects of research and development at an early stage, alleviating their transition into professional life.
The TUHH is a highly competitive, business orientated university with high demands on achievement and quality.
In the year 2000 the TUHH defined the following strategic topics of research activities:
TUHH: Innovations Create Opportunities for the Future
The development of the TUHH on an international scale is directly connected with its founding concept; to increase scientific competence in the Hamburg region, and to secure technological potential together with the settlement of future innovative jobs. The vast quantity of privately raised research funds has enabled these goals to be met.
The dynamic
development of the TUHH is characterized by an openminded,
intellectually inquisitive approach, the creation of
innovation and discovery of methods for applying new
technology. This has been shown by the successful foundation
of its own company, the TUHH Technologie GmbH (TuTech).
Since 1992 the TuTech has been responsible for technology
transfer and advice, for trade fairs and further training,
as well as congresses and the initiation of projects.
Examples are the "Starterzentrum", the local initiation
"hep", the "Gründerrat" of the TUHH as well as a course of
studies for carriermanagement. Young entrepreneurs are
accompanied and advised on setting up their own business.
Also in the academic field the TUHH has created new
standards; in 1994 the TUHH became the pioneer German
university in the creation of modular courses and introduced
a course with a Bachelor's Degree in General Engineering
Science. Since 1997 nine Master's Degree courses and a
Bachelor's Degree course have been added.
As an important part of its quality management, TUHH evaluates its courses of study.
Hamburg, which has been referred to as the "Gate to the world", is the starting point for all TUHH activities. The international contacts, which have in the meantime become far-reaching, originated in the technological competence of the North German Region. The co-operation with the North German multi-national industry, with small and medium sized ("mittelständisch") companies, trading and service businesses, professional chambers, and federations as well as civil administration is the result of regional ties and incentives for further commitment in the metropolitan region of Hamburg.
In 2002 TUHH has signed agreements of cooperation with 13 selected Hamburg high schools.
The TUHH operates together with EADS Airbus GmbH a technology centre (THF) in Finkenwerder. It is here that the promising area of specialization "Aeronautical Systems Technology" within the department of Mechanical Engineering is rooted. Co-operations exist with other establishments and institutions such as the Emergency Hospital Hamburg Boberg in the field of Biomechanics and the GKSS research center Geesthacht GmbH, in the fields of Materials and Environmental Technology.
Hamburg is not only a region of economic growth but also a place of culture and fun. The student's union (AStA) arranges various leisure activities in sports and entertainment. Parties, particulary the summer festival of the TUHH, are very popular among students and staff.
Studying in a foreign country provides the opportunity to experience new perspectives. Together with the trend towards market globalization, there is a global "education market". Therefore the TUHH encourages every interested student to spend some time at its partner universities abroad and makes additional grants available for this. Engineers with experience abroad are in greater demand than ever, and for this reason the TUHH has created a vast co-operation and exchange network with universities and other institutions abroad. This network provides the TUHH with access to first class partner universities within Europe, Asia and America.
With
the introduction of internationally orientated courses the
TUHH has offered international students the chance to
combine the benefits of the German education in engineering
with internationally compatible degrees.These courses are
taught in English. Every fifth student at the TUHH comes
from abroad; this high percentage of students and
guestlecturers from foreign countries creates an
international atmosphere on the campus. The TUHH attaches
great importance to its guests and its international program
since education and research have no boundaries and the TUHH
sees itself as a global player.
Within the framework of SOCRATES there are 50 exchange programs with European universities. The TUHH is a member of CESAER (Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research), of ECIU (European Consortium of Innovative Universities), HBRUTUS (Hanseatic Baltic Research Universities of Technology Unified System) and STEP (Student Transatlantic Engineering Program).
Research is divided into six interdisciplinary research departments:
Town, Environment, Technology,
Systems Engineering,
Civil Engineering and Marine Technology,
Information and Communication Technology,
Materials, Design, Manufacturing, and
Processing Technology and Energy Systems.
Teaching is organized in five schools of study:
Mechanical Engineering,
Electrical Engineering and Information Technology,
Process and Chemical Engineering,
Civil Engineering, and
Vocational Subject Education.