Strategy 2023 - 2027

Bioeconomy and Digital Transformation

Elements of a Sustainable and Resilient Future

The Strategy 2023-2027 builds on the conviction that led to the founding of the University in 1818. Education and science are critical to sustaining life on our planet. By strengthening and linking the over- arching topics bioeconomy and digital transformation, we are ensuring that the innovations in our previous strategic plan develop their full potential, and that we live up to our social and scienti- fic responsibility in shaping the current transformation processes.


Embedding sustainability and resilience
more deeply in teaching and research

Where we stand

The University of Hohenheim stands for the unique combination of agricultural, natural, and business, economic, and social sciences and holds the top position in Germany for agricultural, nutritional, and food sciences.

Founded in the wake of devastating famines, since its founding the University of Hohenheim has viewed this as a charge to analyze social challenges and develop solutions for them.

Sustainability and resilience – that is, the ability to deal with crises and to survive crises and extreme events without permanent damage – are to be anchored in the university culture. In doing so, the university can draw on years of work on the overarching topics of bioeconomy and digital transformation, both of which are building blocks for a sustainable and resilient future.

Where we want to go

We want to contribute to the Sustainable De- velopment Goals – and do so even more resolu- tely than before. To this end, sustainability and resilience are to be more firmly anchored in the development of degree programs and research projects as well as in the university‘s operations.

Need for action: UN Sustainable Development Goals in danger
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda with its 17 global Sustainable Develop- ment Goals (SDGs). The SDG Report 2022 showed that both the COVID-19 pandemic and the war of aggression on Ukraine have partially reversed the progress made over the past eight years

How we will get there

  • Establish a Green Office as a guidance and networking center for all sustainability-related activities
  • Enhance our specific teaching profile, e.g., through cross-faculty programs in the field of sustainability
  • Expand to become a leading international player in the bioeconomy – with the European Bioeconomy University, among other measures
  • Conduct greenhouse gas accounting to identify and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Bioeconomy

is a holistic concept for a sustainable economy that conserves both energy and resources. The raw materials are of biological origin or come from organic waste streams. As the leading agricultural university in Germany, the University of Hohenheim focuses on researching efficiently managed and climate-resilient agroecosystems for the environmentally-friendly production of biomass and food. This also involves optimizing processes with biological methods, or by utilizing sustainable chemical and physical conversion methods. In order to contribute to sustainable transformation, ecological, economic, and social aspects must be taken into account for the bioeconomy concept. To this end, the three faculties of the University of Hohenheim optimally complement each other to find holistic solutions for the major challenges of our time – climate protection, food security, resource conservation, and sustainable management.

In research

bioeconomy spans the spectrum from plant and animal production to new, biotechnological conversion techniques and the necessary processes of change in the economy and society. This includes the development and assessment of the entire biobased value chains of food, biobased materials, or integrated bioenergy. In addition, research is conducted into new processes for the circular economy and biorefinery concepts.

In studies and teaching

these topics are also offered in the interdisciplinary Master‘s degree program in Bioeconomy. Further services for students such as international exchange programs are provided by the European Bioeconomy University – an association of six European universities with a bioeconomy profile.

Work on campus

is to be converted to be in line with the principles of the bioeconomy to the extent possible. For this reason, a greenhouse gas balance is currently being drawn up at the University of Hohenheim. In the spirit of resource conservation and sustainable management, students, researchers, and the supporting services work toward creating a more ecological campus. This includes, for example, establishing new biodiversity hotspots and scientifically monitoring reduced mowing cycles in the Hohenheim Gardens.

For knowledge transfer

networking with politics is of great importance: Scientists at the University of Hohenheim participate in political bodies such as the Bioeconomy Council of the German federal government or the Sustainable Bioeconomy Advisory Council of the state government. Bioökonomie

Digital transformation

is understood at the University of Hohenheim as a participatory and future-oriented change process, with the technological innovations are combined with social developments and legal requirements and actively shaped. Students, researchers, and employees in the supporting areas are therefore equally responsible for the digital transformation. The cross-cutting topic of digital transformation therefore influences all areas of the University of Hohenheim. The new Vice Presidency for Digital Transformation and Sustainability was introduced for steering purposes and the “Digital Transformation Strategy” was adopted in 2022.

In research,

new professors with concentrations on artificial intelligence, computer science, and related fields ensured the topic was embedded more deeply in all faculties. All disciplines related to these topics will be bundled in the Computational Science Hub Hohenheim. Digitalization in agriculture through robotics, automation, and sensor technology in combination with artificial intelligence is being actively researched in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences. The development of new agricultural and environmental programs also benefits from agricultural systems modeling. The Faculty of Natural Sciences is investigating the digitalization of food production across the entire supply chain and in retail, taking consumers into account. The Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences is concerned with the structural change of the working world through the use of new technologies in connection with the modern and flexible forms of New Work. 

In studies and teaching,

the digital transformation is being implemented, for example, by developing blended learning concepts and e-exams or by teaching methodological skills in the field of artificial intelligence or data science. The new Digital Business Management degree program also covers digital transformation in the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences with a specialization in digital management.

In supporting services,

the digital transformation of the administration is already evident in projects such as the introduction of e-procurement, e-billing, or electronic personnel and student files. This organizational development process is being consistently pursued with the implementation of the “Digital Transformation Strategy” for research and teaching.


Further expanding outstanding research as well as knowledge and technology transfer

Where we stand

The University of Hohenheim is continuously increasing the amount of third-party funds. One example of a particularly excellent externally funded project is the ERC Synergy Grant SymPore to study plasmodesmata and their function for communication between plant cells. The funding of the HoLMiR research building with state-of- the-art, large-scale equipment will also decisively advance microbiome research with farm animals. The extension of the DFG Research Training Group AMAIZE-P on Sustainable Phosphorus Utilization of Maize Crop Systems with the China Agricultural University and the DFG Research Group P-Fowl on phosphorus and animal nutrition underline the research strength of Hohenheim scientists.

With the Innovation Greenhouse, there is a central point of contact and support for all topics related to entrepreneurship at the University of Hohenheim

Where we want to go

The University of Hohenheim aims to make its research performance more visible. Therefore, it is participating in the Excellence Strategy competition and promoting the continuous acquisition of collaborative projects from the DFG and other third-party funding sources. A more entrepreneur-friendly environment is being sought in technology transfer.

How we will get there

  • Establish interdisciplinary science hubs on topics that are highly relevant to society
  • Promote research areas in which several scientists work together in a network in order to increase Hohenheim’s visibility and build up the potential for acquiring large collaborative projects
  • Introduce institutionalized consultation among colleagues for scientists at every stage of their careers
  • Improve research infrastructure to be competitive for external funding

Selected research areas

Work, digitalization, sustainability

Work is undergoing a fundamental transformation that is being driven to a large extent by the use of new technologies. At the same time, when it comes to successful sustainable development, the world of work is an essential object and space for design. Hohenheim’s scientists are therefore looking at productively interlinking digitalization and sustainability specifically in the context of work. Here, sustainability is understood both as a mandatory fulfillment criterion and as a driver of the digitalization of the working world.

Biodiversity

Along with climate change, the loss of biodiversity and in particular the decline of pollinating insects is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. For this reason, the University of Hohenheim, together with the Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History is increasingly focusing on joint professorial appointments and networking among the disciplines of taxonomy, ecology, and agricultural sciences. The focus is on basic research around the conservation of biodiversity, the findings of which are implemented in agriculture.

Yield stability

A fundamental understanding of processes at the molecular, cellular, and organismic levels is required for breeding yield-stable crops. Greenhouse or field trials are also important to be able to stabilize yields despite climate change impacts. Researchers at the University of Hohenheim are working on all these levels with the aim of making agriculture more ecological. For example, scien- tists use biological alternatives to pesticides and reduce the amount of fertilizers used in an attempt to keep yields stable while maintaining biodiversity.

Animal sciences

Cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, and even honeybees are livestock that are important not only for global food security. Apart from the consumption of animal products, animal manure has far-reaching effects on agriculture. Research therefore includes resource-efficient, animal welfare-compliant breeding, husbandry, and nutrition, as well as the study of internal processes in farm animals. These findings on animal welfare and health also affect human health and the environment.

Protein efficiency

Proteins are the central source of nitrogen in both animal and human nutrition. Plants and bacteria can also obtain nitrogen from inorganic sources and transform it into amino acids and further into proteins. These aspects of the nitrogen cycle via soil and microorganisms, plants, animals, and humans are studied at the University of Hohenheim and considered on a wide variety of scales.


Continue improving the attractiveness of the course range and studying conditions

Where we stand

At the University of Hohenheim, studies and teaching have a high priority. System accreditation was therefore a significant step, giving the university more autonomy in the quality assurance and development of its programs.

Students benefit from the Humboldt reloaded research-based learning program and other third-party funded projects related to the digita- lization of teaching. The teaching development project “Integrating digitalization along teaching, learning, and research” strives to establish teaching that is oriented on competences and uses digital resources for support. With the AI & Data Science Certificate Hohenheim, all students can acquire additional skills in artificial intelligence, data science, and scientific computing. International Master‘s programs and networks for joint teaching and student exchanges are increasing, ensuring an international environment.

Where we want to go

Degree programs and study conditions are to become even more attractive for national and international target groups. To this end, the quality of classroom teaching and digital learning elements is being further developed. The focus is always on the students themselves: A particular challenge is ensuring that the entire student life cycle is considered and managed.

In order to make students fit for the working world, the curricula of the degree programs are being supplemented with content on digital transformation and sustainability. With virtual and hybrid mobility, new target groups can gain international experience

How we will get there

  • Introduce an English-language, cross-faculty Bachelor‘s degree program to make the university more attractive to international students
  • Increase the supply of (English-language) content related to digital transformation and sustainability in studies
  • Employ targeted student marketing to decisively strengthen the external image of the university
  • Conduct a needs analysis for offers of scientific further education
  • Establish general framework conditions for digital teaching; obtain third-party funding for digital teaching development


Creating a more modern and motivating working environment

Where we stand

The University of Hohenheim has already received several awards as an attractive employer in the Stuttgart region and is committed to further improving working conditions. Examples of this are making work more flexible, expanding personnel development measures, and university employees participating in organizational development processes.

The personnel development plan for academic staff members focuses in particular on scientists in the postdoc and doctoral phase. Tenure track is now a common path to full professorship at the University of Hohenheim. In addition, the introduction of independent junior research groups will enable career paths prior to this stage.

Equality is moving forward: At the professorial level, a 30 % share of women was achieved in 2020 for the first time.

Where we want to go

Working conditions are to be made even more motivating, reliable, and healthy for all employees, both in the scientific and the supporting areas. Attractive working conditions also include fair contracts, particularly with regard to the duration of contracts and predictable career prospects. A special focus continues to be on early career researchers.

Diversity is becoming more prominent in the university culture than in the past, and inclusivity among employees and students is being promoted.

How we will get there

  • Design attractive working conditions:
    – Make work flexible (among other things, with opportunities for mobile work)
    – Expand the range of personnel development measures
    – Utilize all possibilities for attractive employment contracts
  • Optimize activities for scientists according to their specific career stage
  • Create a diversity concept with fields of action and measures
  • Utilize new forms of personnel recruitment

The Hohenheim spirit

The University of Hohenheim has three particular features:

1. Profile university

As a profile university, the University of Hohenheim is dedicated to selected focal points. Thanks to the outstanding work of our scientists, the university has positioned itself in two topics that are particularly relevant to society: bioeconomy and digital transformation. These are to be understood as elements for the Hohenheim sustainability and resilience guidelines that make a contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

2. Unique campus

The unique campus around the emblematic palace forms an excellent basis for cooperation in research and teaching across subject and faculty boundaries. In this context, the campus itself serves as a teaching and learning location and offers space for real-life laboratories with the Hohenheim Gardens

3. The Humboldtian idea

The Humboldtian idea of unifying teaching and research provides the foundation for the concept of a university. With Humboldt reloaded, the University of Hohenheim has fundamentally and sustainably strength- ened this concept. The new combination of teaching and research with the idea of transfer creates an expanded, modern form of the Humboldtian approach.

Contact

Director: Structure and Development Planning | Research Strategy
Currently vacant

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SEP 2023-2027

This SEP was unanimously approved by the University Council of the University of Hohenheim in October 2022.

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