试论应用研究的本质与将来的发展潜力

On the Nature and Future Potential of Applied Research

长期以来,研究的概念被人为地分为两个泾渭分明的领域。在过去几十年里,这种对基础研究和应用研究两极化的理解对德国高等教育体系的结构产生了深远影响。特别体现于德国高等教育体系被划分为两种类型:一类是致力于基础研究的综合大学,另一类是致力于应用研究的应用科学大学。实际上,这种对研究的概念采取二分法式的理解早已过时,因为它未能认识到基础研究和应用研究之间的众多糅合、相互作用和交集。现实情况是,两极研究形成了一个相互联系、相互促进发展的连续统一体。现在,世界各地的高校都面对着越来越高的社会期望。他们需要通过创新和发展现代技术来更多地加入到解决重大社会问题的队伍中,并使他们在税收资助体制下获取的专业知识对社会发挥更大用途。这无疑意味着研究的应用型定位正在全球范围内流行。应用科学大学应站在创新发展的最前沿,以便能够与经济界和社会各界一起携手发挥他们指引和示范的功能。

For a long time,our understanding of research was artificially split into two strictly separate spheres. This binary understanding of research in basic and applied research shaped the structure of the German higher education system for many decades,which was characterized by a division into traditional research universities committed to fundamental research and universities of applied sciences committed to applied research. In fact,such a dichotomous understanding has long since become obsolete,as it fails to recognize the numerous overlaps,interactions and intersections of basic and applied research. In fact,both research poles form a related,mutually fruitful continuum. Universities around the world are confronted with rising societal expectations of participating in solutions to major societal challenges. Through innovations and the development of modern technologies Universities can make their tax-financed expertise more usable for society. It is about nothing less than the rise of application orientation in academic research. Universities of applied sciences should be at the forefront of this innovation development in order to be able to fulfill their guiding model function hand in hand with business and society.