Ten years of Kronach as a college town—on July 2, approximately 230 guests from the worlds of politics, academia, business, and the local community gathered at the Kühnlenzpassage to celebrate this anniversary. Speeches, panel discussions, and a varied program provided the setting for an evening filled with encounters, lively conversations, and in-depth exchanges. The focus was not only on looking back at what has been achieved, but also on the question of how the university campus should continue to develop in the coming years.

An Idea with a Clear Vision

Ten years ago, the initiators of the Kronach university campus began thinking about how the region could be developed in a sustainable way. Hans Rebhan, Chairman of the Lucas Cranach Campus Foundation, recalled the early days: “Back then, we were thinking about how we could move the region forward. The approach was university-oriented regional development based on three pillars: attracting, training, and retaining skilled workers in the region; strengthening knowledge transfer for businesses; and reducing vacant properties.”

Ten years later, that idea has grown into an established higher education hub. Today, Coburg University of Applied Sciences, Hof University of Applied Sciences, and the Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg collaborate in Kronach. The academic programs are developed in close collaboration with regional companies and combine academic instruction with projects, workshops, and lectures. In this way, knowledge is directly applied in practice—and insights from the field flow back into the classroom.

The anniversary provided an opportunity to look back on this development together. Following the opening remarks by Hans Rebhan, District Administrator Klaus Löffler, and Dr. Tobias Haaf, Senior Ministerial Director at the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, the focus shifted to two panel discussions. Discussions centered on the development of the higher education hub, the close collaboration between universities, the business community, and local governments, as well as how the region can continue to attract skilled workers and foster innovation in the future.

Future Design Thrives on Change

One example of this is the Future Design master’s program. This interdisciplinary program combines innovation, business, and technology and is constantly evolving. New ideas are tested, existing concepts are scrutinized, and the program is adapted to meet the demands of the professional world and society. Program Director Prof. Dr. Christian Zagel summed up this approach in a single sentence: “If something doesn’t work, it gets changed—until it fits.”

Lab Director Frank Wunderatsch highlighted the opportunities the location offers students: “Why come here to Kronach? Because here, as students, you have opportunities that definitely don’t exist anywhere else.” The master’s program is aimed at people from diverse backgrounds who conceive new business models, shape digitalization, and view change as an opportunity.

The fact that the university campus thrives above all on exchange was also evident in the accompanying program that followed. At information booths, during guided tours of the FabLab, test drives of autonomous vehicles, and other hands-on activities, students, companies, university representatives, and guests from politics and the region engaged in conversation with one another. The relaxed atmosphere provided space for making new connections, professional exchange, and networking.

Söder Sends Video Message

The Bavarian State Government also expressed clear support for the university. In a video message, Minister President Dr. Markus Söder highlighted the successful development of the past ten years and the Free State’s continued support: “We wanted to offer young people in the region a future. It seems we are increasingly succeeding in doing just that. As the Free State of Bavaria, we will therefore continue to support its further expansion in the future.”

Greetings from Science Minister Markus Blume were conveyed by Dr. Tobias Haaf, Senior Ministerial Director at the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts. He highlighted the university’s special role for Bavaria: “Here, students are encouraged to boldly put their ideas into practice.” The Kronach university campus embodies in a special way the Bavarian state goal of equal living conditions in urban and rural areas. Over the past decade, far more than just a campus has grown here—a visible impetus for innovation has emerged for the entire region.”

Thinking Ahead Together

District Administrator Klaus Löffler shared his personal reflections on the anniversary: “I am very grateful and proud that we have shaped the future of our home region together.” Hans Rebhan also made it clear that the development of the higher education hub is far from complete. “I think we’ve always had a plan. And that was to have 1,000 students on campus by 2035.” The fact that three colleges are represented in Kronach today is already something special: “In such a small town, that’s truly extraordinary.”

The anniversary celebration demonstrated how a shared idea has evolved into an integral part of Kronach’s educational landscape within ten years. At the same time, the evening made it clear that the higher education hub continues to evolve—driven by dedicated partners, close collaboration, and a commitment to ongoing development.