Mainz University of Applied Sciences has been honored with the 2026 German Employer Award for Education (Deutscher Arbeitgeberpreis für Bildung) in the “Higher Education” category. This year’s award, presented under the theme “AI Competency for Everyone!,” recognizes educational institutions that promote the successful, reflective, and responsible use of artificial intelligence. The panel of judges was particularly impressed by the comprehensive nature of Mainz University of Applied Sciences’ concept. The judges also highlighted the fact that the university’s offerings are not aimed solely at members of the university community but explicitly include the general public.
The award honors outstanding commitment by educational institutions and recognizes flagship projects in the early childhood, school, vocational, and higher education sectors. The main award is endowed with 10,000 Euro; the other award winners each receive 2,500 Euro. This year’s main award went to a vocational school.
“I am especially pleased by this award because it shows what we can achieve together as a university. Universities are undergoing change and face many challenges, something we are experiencing firsthand, particularly with our move and the process of growing together on a shared campus. The fact that we have, at the same time, successfully implemented a university-wide concept for the responsible use of AI is a shared achievement we can be proud of. I sincerely thank everyone involved,” says Prof. Dr. Katharina Dahm, President of Mainz University of Applied Sciences.
The Center for Teaching and Learning plays a central role in developing and implementing these programs. It provides students with the AI Fundamentals Course, a low-threshold, university-wide qualification program. Even during its pilot phase, the course attracted more than 350 registrations. Faculty members also have access to an extensive modular professional development program. “Our programs promote both foundational and application-oriented competency in the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Through open formats such as our AI Compact program, we also strengthen AI competency beyond the university, targeting the general public,” says Daniel Bayer, Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Building on this foundation, AI competency is also taught within the disciplines through the degree programs. Faculty members from the university’s three schools of Design, Engineering, and Business integrate the competent, critical, and responsible use of artificial intelligence into their respective disciplines. In this way, the university combines central training offerings with subject-specific engagement with the opportunities and challenges of AI.
The German Employer Award for Education is awarded by the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände, BDA) in partnership with the Deutsche Bahn. The award is presented annually to educational institutions that contribute to the further development of education and qualification through innovative approaches.
