In May 2007, Münster University of Applied Sciences was one of five higher education institutions to receive an award for its transfer activity in the competition "Exchange processes between higher education institutions and the economy" run jointly by the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The jury found the project "Partnering: Thinking. Steering. Acting." convincing.
The higher education institution draws on close interaction with the regional and national economy. The basic philosophy in its strategic development of the transfer of knowledge and technology is partnering or, in other words, intensive and engaging integration with third parties, that brings both sides long-term benefits.
This is implemented using sophisticated methodological skills at three operating levels:
- analytical-scientific ("thinking"), for example, by the research focus on science marketing,
- strategic ("steering") by university management (e.g. Prorectorate for Partnering),
- operative ("acting"), for example, by the spin-off Transfer Agency
Top recipient of third-party funding among all universities of applied sciences in Germany
This success is built on the large number of researchers who seek collaboration with enterprises. Münster is the top recipient of third-party funding among universities of applied sciences in the whole of Germany. The higher education institution generated the majority of its third-party funding from collaborating with the economy.
Münster University of Applied Sciences views the award as both a confirmation of its success and as an incentive. It is constantly striving to further professionalise exchange processes. This is why the 250,000 euro prize money will be specifically earmarked for the following operational modules: