Impetus for Regional Collaboration
Rectors from universities in the Czech Republic and Saxony were guests of the TU Chemnitz on June 18th, 2015
-
Rectors, Vice-Rectors and other representatives of five Czech universities met in Chemnitz with representatives of the TU Chemnitz as well as other Saxon universities and institutions. Photo: Steve Conrad -
Initial suggestions for future collaboration emerged over the course of the discussion. Photo: Steve Conrad
The Technische Universität Chemnitz maintains a longstanding and vital relationship to universities in Central and Eastern Europe. Specifically, an intensive partnership with Czech universities was built over the course of various sponsored activities. Currently, there are long-term agreements regarding cooperation in research and education with nine Czech universities in total.
Rectors, Vice-Rectors and other representatives of five Czech universities were guests of the TU Chemnitz on June 18th, 2015. The meeting was initiated and accompanied by Czech General Consul Dr. Jiří Kudĕla. “The goal of the meeting was to extend the concept of regional collaboration from Saxony to the Czech Republic and set further cooperations between science, business and society in motion on both sides of the border,” said Prof. Dr. Arnold van Zyl, Rector of the TU Chemnitz.
Alongside representatives of university leadership from Mittweida and Zwickau, with whom the TU Chemnitz works closely within the scientific region of Chemnitz, representatives of other Saxon universities and establishments also took part, including the Saxon State Ministry of Science and the Arts, Leipzig Fraunhofer Centre for Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chemnitz.
Initial suggestions for future collaboration emerged over the course of the discussion. Among other ideas, a future joint experience exchange on the topic of Science and Technology Transfer was discussed, as well as possibilities to increase the visibility of their own excellent research on the European level. Joint workshops with universities, businesses, chambers and other actors in Saxony and the Czech Republic are also conceivable, summarized Prof. van Zyl. In addition, participants of the meeting spoke about experiences with current social issues, like the demographic change, which is highly relevant on both sides of the border. In conclusion, it was agreed that the participants should meet and continue the dialogue next year at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen.
9 Ziel3/Cíl3-Projects, among others, connect the TU Chemnitz with Czech partners in research. The funding program was financed up to 85 percent from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) during its duration between 2007 and 2014. In the coming funding phase lasting through 2020, this projects will be built upon. In regard to teaching, further joint courses of study are in preparation. They are expected to be available alongside the Production Systems study course, in which a dual degree in Chemnitz and Brünn is already possible.
(Author: Katharina Thehos, Translation: Sarah Wilson)
Katharina Thehos
19.06.2015
