At the Academic Senate, the President of the University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Andreas Timm-Giel, outlined his vision for the strategic development of the Hamburg University of Technology for the period from 2027 to 2033 in a forward-looking speech.
In his speech, he outlined a clear vision for the university’s future—grounded in academic excellence, social responsibility, and a commitment to actively contributing to the resolution of global challenges.
The starting point for his remarks is a positive track record of development over the past few years: Since 2020, TU Hamburg has significantly increased its performance in key areas. For instance, 46 professorships have been filled, the number of first-year students in bachelor’s programs has risen by over 40%, while the proportion of international students now stands at just over 30%.
The university has also seen dynamic growth in the area of research and knowledge transfer: external funding has increased by 75%, and funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) has risen by as much as 135%. Additionally, 27 million euros were secured for innovation projects in teaching in 2025 alone. The spin-off sector is also showing strong momentum: more than 150 million euros in venture capital flowed into startups associated with TU Hamburg in 2024, and over the past ten years, more than 60 successful startups have emerged.
Other scientific flagship initiatives include the “BlueMat” Cluster of Excellence, with funding of around 70 million euros, as well as major strategic initiatives such as the establishment of the UNU Hub “Engineering to Face Climate Change.”
For the upcoming development phase, Timm-Giel has formulated a clear strategic focus: Under the guiding principle “Engineering to Face Climate Change,” TU Hamburg aims to align its expertise specifically toward solving key societal challenges. The goal is to drive technical innovations for climate protection, sustainable infrastructure, and resource conservation on a global scale—and thereby assume responsibility beyond the campus.
At the same time, TU Hamburg plans to further strengthen its visibility in basic research while expanding innovation-driven applied research. To this end, the research infrastructure is being consistently developed—from modern laboratories to high-performance digital resources.
TU Hamburg is committed to the “Humboldt 4.0” concept—a further development of the classic Humboldtian ideal of the unity of research and teaching into an integrated system comprising four closely interlinked fields of action: research, teaching, transfer, and societal dialogue. Scientific insights no longer arise solely within the academic sphere but unfold their impact through application, in exchange with industry and society, and through public outreach.
For students, this means a new quality of education: they are involved in research processes at an early stage, work on real-world problems, and learn to critically reflect on scientific findings and apply them responsibly.
At the same time, new technologies—particularly artificial intelligence—are shaping the nature of learning and research and are being consciously integrated into education.
CampusLabs play a key role in implementing this approach. As central innovation and learning spaces, they uniquely connect research, teaching, knowledge transfer, and science communication. Here, students, researchers, startups, and industry partners work together on solutions—from the initial idea to the prototype.
At the same time, TU Hamburg must invest in its infrastructure and framework conditions: new research buildings, modern laboratories, expanded computing capacities, and sustainable campus development are intended to create optimal conditions for research and teaching. Counseling services, study structures, and support measures for students are also being further developed to best promote individual educational paths.
Technology transfer is also to be further strengthened. TU Hamburg is strategically expanding its activities in the areas of startups, industry collaborations, and innovation, positioning itself as a key player in “Tech City Hamburg.” The goal is to translate research findings into societal and economic applications more quickly and to make innovations visible.
Another focus is on internationalization and the development of an open, tolerant campus. Already today, around one-third of students come from abroad, and a total of more than 130 nations are represented on campus. TU Hamburg sees itself as an international hub for exchange, where people from a wide variety of backgrounds work together on solutions to global challenges.
This diversity is a deliberate policy: different perspectives, experiences, and cultural backgrounds are seen as strengths—as the foundation for creativity, innovation, and academic excellence. The university therefore consistently prioritizes openness, equal opportunity, and respectful coexistence. The goal is a campus that is not only international but also characterized by a lived culture of tolerance and cooperation.
In conclusion, the President set a clear goal for the coming years: TU Hamburg should continue on its successful development path and further distinguish itself as an internationally visible, innovative technical university. The foundation for this, he said, is a clear strategic focus, modern structures, and a committed university community.
