TU Braunschweig’s research presence in Singapore opens the door to South-East Asia for Lower Saxony’s scientific community

Singapore is a strategically important partner for Germany in the Asia-Pacific region in the fields of science, technology and innovation. To harness the potential of this dynamic research landscape for Lower Saxony, Technische Universität Braunschweig is strategically expanding its research presence, TU BS Singapore Ltd., which was established in 2023. With the support of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK), the aim is to develop a model of excellence over the next two years that will open up access to networks in South-East Asia for other universities in Lower Saxony.

Over the past few decades, Singapore has developed into a world-leading centre for science and innovation. With excellent universities, top positions in international rankings and substantial investment in research and future technologies, the island city-state is a key hub for scientific collaboration in Asia. Singapore thus offers universities direct access to the dynamic research and innovation networks of South-East Asia.

Visibility for Lower Saxony

Since 2017, TU Braunschweig has been strengthening its networks in the South-East Asian region and, through the Innovation Company Technische Universität Braunschweig mbH (iTUBS), established its first international research presence in 2023 with TU BS Singapore Ltd. This entity supports the initiation of joint research projects, facilitates research visits, provides on-site support for researchers, taps into local networks and opens up funding opportunities. “We have thus achieved a milestone in the internationalisation of our university,” emphasises President Angela Ittel. “Our aim is not only to provide structural support for cooperation with this globally leading centre of science and innovation for the members of TU Braunschweig, but also to expand our presence in the coming years into a hub for other universities in Lower Saxony, thereby strengthening the international visibility of science from Lower Saxony.”

Tapping into new fields of the future together

With funding of 550,000 euros from the MWK from October 2026, research and cooperation areas on topics such as coastal protection, sustainable mobility and quantum research will be established in the coming years. The aim is to establish a long-term research presence and make it accessible as a transferable model with tried-and-tested structures and processes for researchers and research institutions throughout Lower Saxony. “TU Braunschweig is thus making a key contribution to raising Lower Saxony’s international profile and to the mutual transfer of knowledge and technologies in future-oriented fields of global transformation processes,” said Professor Arno Kwade, Vice-President for Transfer and Innovation.

Long-standing partnerships as a foundation

Alongside TU Munich, TU Braunschweig is the only German university with a permanent presence in Singapore, integrated into an international environment of renowned universities and research institutions.

The establishment of the Braunschweig presence is the result of more than two decades of scientific collaboration with partners in Singapore and other countries in East and South-East Asia. Its development has been and continues to be spearheaded by the Institute of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Technology (IWF) under the leadership of Professor Christoph Herrmann, as well as the Institute for Sustainable Urbanism (ISU) under the leadership of Professor Vanessa Miriam Carlow. Together, they have pioneered research areas for TU Braunschweig such as sustainable urban production, circular value creation, urban-industrial symbiosis and sustainable urban development.