At the third joint doctoral day organised by the four Brandenburg universities of applied sciences (HAWs) on 1 September 2026 at the Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences, the new right to award doctorates was symbolically handed over. Around 100 PhD students, prospective PhD candidates and supervisors came together for this inter-university exchange. Through its role as the administrative office for the joint doctoral programme, the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is taking on a central role in its further implementation.

Under the new doctoral regulations, the four universities of applied sciences in Brandenburg – the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), the Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences (THB), the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences (FHP) and the Wildau University of Applied Sciences (TH Wildau) – to award doctorates in future as part of the joint doctoral programme.

A special moment during the doctoral ceremony was the symbolic handover of the right to award doctorates by the Brandenburg Ministry of Science, Research and Culture (MWFK). Ministry representative Nicole Pacha first handed the baton to the vice-presidents of the four universities and then to the administrative office of the doctoral programme, which is based at the HNEE. Key organisational processes for the joint programme will thus be coordinated from Eberswalde – from the next steps right through to the admission of the first doctoral candidates.

“This long-standing, cross-university collaboration is an outstanding example of successful cooperation within Brandenburg’s higher education landscape,” said Nicole Pacha, praising the joint efforts. The vice-presidents thanked the MWFK and all those involved for their trusting and constructive cooperation.

Academically, the HNEE made its presence felt at the PhD Day: Bonu Azizova from the HNEE was awarded a prize for the best poster design. She is pursuing her PhD in collaboration with the Technical University of Berlin and is supervised at the HNEE by Prof. Dr Martin Welp. The award was made possible by the Friends of the Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences Association.

In addition to the poster session, the PhD Day provided an opportunity for professional exchange and networking. In four parallel workshops, participants addressed current issues in doctoral research – ranging from AI in literature reviews and knowledge management, through effective doctoral supervision, to career paths following completion of a PhD. With around 100 participants, the third joint PhD Day reached a new record attendance. For the HNEE, the event also marks an important step in the ongoing development of reliable structures for doctoral studies at universities of applied sciences and in supporting early-career researchers.

The next joint PhD Day organised by the four Brandenburg universities of applied sciences will take place in September 2027 at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau.