Right to award doctorates in second Promotionszentrum NITRO

17.7.2024 | DIT Public Relations

The Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) has been granted the right to award doctorates in the so-called NITRO research area (»Nachhaltige Intelligente Technologien für eine Ressourcenoptimierte Produktion«/sustainable intelligent technologies for resource-optimised production). This was announced by the Bavarian Ministry of Science and the Arts on Tuesday, 16 July. This means that from now on, junior scientists can also do doctorates in this area at the DIT. The first Promotionszentrum ‘Digital Technologies and their Applications (DigiTech)’ was authorized back in October. In both Promotionszentren, the DIT is represented within a network with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg (THA) and Landshut University of Applied Sciences (HaWL).

Within both Promotionszentren, the DIT has the right to award doctorates. Graduates with a suitable Master's degree in the relevant subject areas are qualified. DIT‘s President Prof. Waldemar Berg reports: „A total of 19 professors ‒ including five from the DIT ‒ are part of NITRO due to their scientific expertise and research strength. They are now authorized to supervise doctorates independently“. Research activities at this Promotionszentrum focus on production systems and processes, product design and materials engineering as well as on technology and innovation. The key topics of sustainability and resource efficiency are an integral part of all focus areas. In particular, the DIT is contributing to the areas of nanotechnology, high-frequency and sensor technologies as well as bionics. „All of these key topics are important foundations for further developing intelligent and resource-efficient technologies and are therefore also indispensable for AI, for instance,“ says Berg.

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Dorner, Vice President for Research at the DIT, adds: „The aim is for young scientists to conduct interdisciplinary research into new materials, manufacturing processes and methods for environmentally friendly, resource-preserving and economical production and thus to contribute to solving current social, economic and ecological problems“. While 24 doctoral students have already begun their projects within the first Promotionszentrum DigiTech, the first doctoral candidates are expected to be admitted to NITRO towards the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025. „By establishing the two Promotionszentren, the three Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) are creating perfect conditions for their students‘ academic careers“, Dorner explains. The right to award doctorates at UAS is a logical step towards recognizing the scientific achievements of their researchers and leading excellent students to a doctorate, just like at universities.

As one of the Bavarian UAS which are strongest in research, the DIT can offer young doctoral students an attractive research environment at its many technology campuses. „Doctoral studies at the DIT have a long tradition,“ says DIT President Berg. „A considerable number of young scientists have already been prepared for a career in research and development in Deggendorf and at our technology campuses in the region through cooperative doctorates with universities“. Today, they work in leading positions in research & development departments and in the management of companies or as professors. Berg also adds: „By collaborating with companies, our doctoral students also gain an insight into the importance of research and innovation in an entrepreneurial context and how science, theory and practical relevance interact.“

Today, scientists at the DIT conduct research at 17 technology campuses at twelve locations within the region and beyond. „NITRO will in particular strengthen research at the sites in Deggendorf, Plattling, Hutthurm, Cham, Parsberg, Weißenburg, Freyung, Teisnach and Pfarrkirchen,“ Professor Dorner concludes. This is because research groups and institutes in the fields of materials research, production technology and sustainability research are based there.

Additional information: Doctorate

Bild (DIT): The key themes of sustainability and resource efficiency are integral components in the research of all focal points at the new DIT doctoral centre.