Boosting innovation, expanding technology transfer and securing a skilled workforce The Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and TU Braunschweig are placing their partnership on a sustainable footing
The Braunschweig region is one of the most research-intensive and dynamically innovative metropolitan areas in Europe. According to Eurostat, it ranks third in Europe.
Braunschweig and the surrounding region boast an exceptionally high density of research facilities and scientific institutions by European standards, with TU Braunschweig playing a central role within this network. Here, it works closely with non-university research facilities, such as the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, several Fraunhofer and Leibniz Institutes, the Helmholtz Centre and other federal institutions, as well as numerous industry partners and associations. Within this closely networked ecosystem, the academic and business communities are further developing future-oriented fields such as quantum technologies, microelectronics and mobility. Through their cooperation agreement, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and Technische Universität Braunschweig will further develop the very close partnership they have built up in recent years: jointly driving forward innovation and sustainably increasing technology-related value creation, supporting innovation-oriented start-ups, securing a long-term supply of skilled workers in the region, and supporting technology transfer activities.
From left to right: Dr Florian Löbermann, Managing Director of the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Henning Karsten, Technology Transfer Service at TU Braunschweig, Prof. Angela Ittel, President of TU Braunschweig, Prof. Arno Kwade, Vice-President for Technology Transfer and Innovation at TU Braunschweig, Tobias Hoffmann, President of the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), Anke Bergmann, Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Photo credit: Maximilian Kaiser/TU Braunschweig
IHK President Tobias Hoffmann warmly welcomes the cooperation agreement: “The success of our business location depends crucially on how quickly we can translate new knowledge into marketable solutions and innovative business models. With this cooperation agreement between TU Braunschweig and the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce, we are strengthening the exchange between academia and industry and creating sustainable conditions for technology transfer. At the same time, we are making an important contribution to securing a skilled workforce by connecting students and graduates with companies in the region at an early stage. This benefits our businesses, the region’s innovative strength and, consequently, the competitiveness of our business location.”
The President of TU Braunschweig, Prof. Dr Angela Ittel, sees the focus of the collaboration in technology transfer: “At TU Braunschweig, we lay the foundations for tomorrow’s innovations through excellent fundamental research. Strong fundamental research realises its full potential when findings find their way into practical applications, thereby securing innovation in business and society. The cooperation agreement with the Braunschweig Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) strengthens precisely this bridge between academia and business. It opens up new opportunities for the transfer of knowledge and technology, promotes exchange with the regional business community and helps to bring innovations into practice more quickly.”
The partnership combines the strengths of academia and industry and makes an important contribution to securing the long-term viability of the Braunschweig region. The specialisation in cooperation between the university, the regional business community and, in particular, small and medium-sized enterprises helps to systematically tap into innovation potential and develop practical solutions to current and future challenges.