Chemnitz University of Technology, Ilmenau University of Technology and OVGU Magdeburg finalize framework agreement on scientific cooperation in the network of the three Central German universities
As part of the Chemnitz-Ilmenau-Magdeburg Research and Innovation Network (CHIM), Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Sattler, President of Ilmenau University of Technology, and Prof. Dr. Jens Strackeljan, Rector of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, signed a new Framework agreementin order to to strengthen long-standing cooperation between universities with an engineering and scientific profile. The new framework agreement manifests and substantiates the original cooperation agreement of the Association of Central German Universities from 2008 and regulates the future scientific cooperation and organization of the CHIM research and innovation network.
The three universities complement each other perfectly in the network, which is dedicated in particular to human-technology interaction and is also expanding into other research areas in the future. Each of the three universities contributes its special expertise – the TU Chemnitz with the newly founded Center for Man and Technology (MeTech) in the field of “Human-Machine Interaction and Cognitive Systems”, TU Ilmenau in the field of “Intelligent Sensors and Complex Systems” and OVGU Magdeburg in the research field of “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Engineering”.
“The cooperation with TU Ilmenau and Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg already has a long tradition, but has recently developed and intensified enormously, which we are extremely pleased about. CHIM thus stands for an extremely strong alliance that addresses highly topical issues of the future and represents three eastern German states,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, Rector of Chemnitz University of Technology.
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Sattler, President of Ilmenau University of Technology, says: “The three universities face similar challenges with their profiles and their role for the respective region and Central Germany. We therefore expect new ideas and impetus from the expansion and intensification of our long-standing research collaborations. The networking of research infrastructure in particular opens up new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Prof. Dr. Jens Strackeljan, Rector of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, adds: “Research in future fields such as human-machine interaction can only be carried out across institutional boundaries, across disciplines and in strong alliances. With the universities of Ilmenau and Chemnitz, we have partners that we know and trust. What also unites us as universities with a technical profile is that we are facing similar challenges due to the decline in student numbers. In the network, we can learn from each other and join forces instead of being in direct competition.”
The aim of the network is to expand cooperation in research and teaching and to utilize synergies between the universities. For example, innovative solutions for research questions are to be developed and a network of research infrastructure and resources is to be sought. Joint research projects, lecture series and cooperation in the promotion of young academics are also planned.
The partner universities expressly acknowledge their responsibility towards the Central German region and want to develop joint concepts to strengthen this science and technology location. The signing of the framework agreement thus marks an important milestone for future cooperation between the three universities. Further research initiatives resulting from the increased development of joint strategies are to follow in the near future.
(Authors: TU Chemnitz/Marlies Facius, TU Ilmenau, OVGU Magdeburg)
