Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences

Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences's goal is to tackle complex problems and global challenges and work to ensure that knowledge and innovations benefit society. We provide education and research in engineering, economics and management, life science technologies, design and construction. Almost 6,700 students, 174 professors and 527 employees are based at our campuses in Lemgo, Detmold, Höxter and Warburg.

Study programs at Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences prepare students for the world of work from the word go. Practice orientation is the hallmark of studying at universities of applied sciences. At Ostwestfalen-Lippe University, scientific knowledge and methods are conveyed and applied in the numerous well equipped labs and institutes. Thanks to our close cooperation with industry, it is commonplace for our students to carry out work placements and prepare theses in companies. Studies are rounded off by practical semesters.

In the field of research and technology OWL UAS has two main profile areas: life science technology and industrial IT. The Institute Industrial IT (inIT) carries out research in the field of industrial informatics and industrial automation for cyber-physical systems. The InIT is located in a science to business center (Centrum Industrial IT) on the campus in Lemgo, where more than 200 engineers from companies and research institutes are working in the field of industrial IT.

The university’s excellent contact to the local industry and businesses is the basis for innovative study programs and successful research collaborations. Thanks to the excellent education of our graduates and the close cooperation, Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences has become an essential and indispensable part of the economic region.

The Presidential Board heads the university. Chaired by the president in full-time occupation the presidential board processes the university's development plan - including the courses of study offered, main research focus as well as university's organisation structure - as mandatory parameter for decisions of all subordinated committees. The presidential board prepares conferences of the senate and executes its decisions as well as decisions of the university council. The presidential board is liable to disclose to the senate and the university council as well as accountable regarding the execution of their decisions. The president represents the university in public. The term of office for the presidential board lasts four years.

The University Council advises the presidential board and supervises the management. Tasks of the council are especially election of the presidential board's members, acceptance of the university development plan, target agreement and business plan. The council consists solely of external members. They are elected for a term of five years.

Amongst others the Senate is in charge of confirming the election of the presidential board's members. Further the senate makes representations on the annual report of the presidential board. The senate shall be responsible for decree and changes of the basic order as well as for recommendations and statements on the draft of the university's development plan. The president is chairman of the senate. The senate consists of members of all status groups of the university. They are elected for a term of two years, excepted of the student members. Their membership lasts just one year.

Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (OWL UAS) is an important component in the regional and national innovation landscape with international appeal. It is one of the leading research universities for applied sciences in Germany. At the moment 171 professors teach and conduct research in the nine university departments. In addition more than 180 scientific assistants are employed in third-party funded positions and there are over 80 student assistants involved in research projects. The third-party volume for the budget year 2013 was 7.8 million euros, an average of 45,000 euros third-party funding per professorship – which was above the national average of 23,000 euros per professorship.

OWL UAS has an active culture of application-orientated innovation with a strong network of industrial partners and other research organizations. The University has excellent contacts in the industry and business fields due to its long tradition in the region. Together new approaches and innovative concepts are developed for research and offered courses. The cooperation with industry is the basis for our success.

In addition to individual work the departments offer a broad range of research in research focal points. These scientist groups provide pool expertise and know-how.

OWL UAS focuses on clear profiles in leading edge fields of application-oriented research. These profile areas are closely linked with industry and are well recognized in the scientific community. The profile areas are organized in the institutes “ILT.NRW – Institute for Food Technologies.NRW” and “inIT – Institute Industrial IT”.

OWL UAS focuses on clear profiles in leading edge fields of application-oriented research. They provide the necessary research issues for the master course programs in the various departments of the university, make cooperative doctorates possible and offer a wide cooperation basis in the main fields of know-how for companies and partners.

Nationwide characteristic research focal points arose from joint-platforms of excellence of North Rhine-Westphalia. These profile areas are closely linked with industry and are well recognized in the scientific community.