The word practice comes from the Greek (πρᾶξις prâxis or πρᾶγμα prâgma) and means deed, action, execution, but also implementation, completion, advancement. For universities of applied sciences, the focus is on concrete questions and answers to problems. This orientation towards innovative, practicable solutions characterizes research and teaching at universities such as Schmalkalden. Application-oriented does not mean closing one's eyes to the perspectives of basic research, but rather asking questions based on concrete challenges and productively combining both perspectives.

To illustrate the research at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, here is just one example that also illustrates its relevance: in order to avoid damaging organ transplants, it makes sense to transport them in boxes whose structure is modeled on the human organism and imitates a metabolic cycle. In this way, organs such as the liver can continue to function as usual and at the same time be cleaned using special rinses. Even if it initially appears to be a small area between electrical engineering and health technology, research into these boxes and their electronic and sensory components serves the purpose of having more transplants available and saving human lives.

On both a small and large scale, the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences combines basic research approaches with the translation into concrete forms of application. Questions such as “How can phenomena be evaluated, processes optimized, functions adapted and expanded?” are motivated by the technological and social, ecological and economic challenges of our time. Practical relevance, i.e. the transfer and application in reality, is the focus of both the engineering and economics departments at HSM.

Originating from the “Königliche Fachschule für Kleineisen- und Stahlwaren-Industrie zu Schmalkalden” in 1902, the research profile of Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences has not only changed extensively, but also expanded and sharpened at the same time. Five faculties are now researching and teaching their own topics and approaches, from electrical engineering to mechanical engineering to computer science, from economics to business law.

Open-minded region of Thuringia

In order to further advance research and development at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences and carry it into the future, new, relevant research topics are also constantly being developed, professorships filled and committed young scientists recruited. In addition, close cooperative relationships are maintained with internal and external research institutions and forums are created for the exchange of ideas between a wide range of players, for example as part of the tool conference organized in cooperation with the GFE, the practical toolmaking forum or the Schmalkalden TecTalks. The university can also host large conferences such as the Waferbond Conference 2022 or the consortium meeting of the KI-Hub Kunststoffverpackungen.

In order to make the most of the potential of research at a rather small university, creative, flexible and adaptive solutions and approaches are required, which are also supported by cooperation across disciplines and subject boundaries - both at the university itself and beyond. As a local beacon, Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences acts as a regional and supra-regional center of attraction, a function with representative radiance: the university brings the world to southern Thuringia and at the same time southern Thuringia to the world.

Cooperation exists not only within and between the faculties of Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, but also with partners such as the GFE, with which it jointly supports research projects, conferences and even a tandem professorship. There are also close contacts with companies and research facilities such as other universities and institutions, in cooperation projects, research partnerships and shared institutional commitments. In this way, a virtue can be made of necessity: Even though Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences may be rather small, it is part of a close network of various productive collaborations in Thuringia and its supra-regional neighborhood in southern Thuringia.

Spaces of opportunity - Cooperative Campus of Innovation

Research offers freedom to think and act, to experiment and cooperate. Shaping things, realizing ideas: Universities of Applied Sciences live these principles in research and teaching.
The university's green campus acts as a driving force and motor for innovation in the city of Schmalkalden and the region of southern Thuringia, and beyond. On the one hand, the university trains the specialists of tomorrow to meet the needs of the local economy and at the same time establishes contacts between both sides through offers such as practical semesters. The university's research also cooperates closely with institutions and companies in the region, from GFE and research-based companies to Frauenhofer companies and renowned players such as the Carl Zeiss Foundation. In Schmalkalden, we see research and development as a cooperative practice in which we can benefit from others as they benefit from us.

Even though Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences is certainly not very large compared to other institutions, its proximity also offers advantages: For students, the familiarity and the close, direct supervisory relationship are decisive advantages, for researchers the short distances and the opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation. Short distances ultimately save time to do important things: studying, researching, maintaining friendships...