First Professors Appointed at German UDS

First Professors Appointed at German UDS – Marking a Milestone for Digital Higher Education

On April 16, 2025, the German University of Digital Science (German UDS) celebrated a pivotal moment in its young history: the official appointment of its first professors. In a festive ceremony, nine of the inaugural 15 professors received their appointment certificates from the university’s presidents, Prof. Dr. Mike Friedrichsen and Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel. This event marks a significant step in the rapid development of Germany’s first fully digital, state-recognized university and underscores its commitment to delivering world-class digital education.

A New Era for Digital Academia

The newly appointed professors are internationally recognized experts who bring a wealth of experience and innovative perspectives to key areas shaping the digital future. Their fields of expertise include:

• Design Thinking and Digital Innovation Processes (Dr. Julia von Thienen)
• E-Learning and Digital Education Platforms (Dr. Thomas Staubitz)
• Data Analysis and Business Intelligence (Dr. Georg Loscher)
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (Dr. Felix Weitkämper)
• Innovation Management and Digital Transformation (Dr. Steven Ney)
• Cybersecurity and Digital Risks (Dr. Tim Stuchtey)
• Learning Analytics and Adaptive Learning Systems (Prof. Dr. Daniele Di Mitri)
• Industrial AI (Prof. Dr. Feiyu Xu)
• Digital Entrepreneurship and Finance (Dr. Marco Bade)

These appointments reflect the university’s vision to advance digital sciences across multiple disciplines and to provide students with access to leading-edge expertise.

Rapid Progress and Academic Excellence

The ceremony took place just two weeks after German UDS officially launched its academic operations on April 1, 2025. As the first fully digital university in Germany, German UDS is already offering innovative, English-language MBA and Master’s programs in fields such as Digital Transformation, Applied AI, Cybersecurity, and Digital Leadership. The swift appointment of 15 professors exemplifies the university’s dynamism and its dedication to combining speed and innovation without compromising on academic quality.

Voices from the Leadership

Prof. Dr. Mike Friedrichsen, co-founder and president, highlighted the university’s unique pace:

“The appointment of 15 new professors in such a short space of time is a sign of our dynamism and our commitment to driving digital education forward. We have proven that innovation and speed can go hand in hand without compromising quality.”

Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, co-founder and president, added:

“With these outstanding academics, we are strengthening our position at the forefront of digital education. Their expertise will help our students master the challenges of digital transformation and help shape the digital world. Our innovative learning culture, which includes virtual lecture halls, interactive labs, and real-time collaboration, will be further strengthened by these appointments.”

Pioneering Digital Education – For Germany and Beyond

With this new team, German UDS continues to establish itself as a trailblazer in digital education, providing students worldwide with access to high-quality, flexible learning opportunities. The university’s fully digital approach, combined with a global faculty, positions it as a leader in addressing the global shortage of IT and digital skills, and as a model for the future of higher education in Germany and internationally.