For the eighth time now, at the start of the new year, entrepreneurs from the region met with “their” university professors as part of the “Business Meets Science” event at the Zittau campus of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Following what has now become a good tradition, the General Entrepreneurs’ Association of Zittau and Surrounding Areas (AUV), the Dresden Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Zittau and Görlitz offices, the Dresden Chamber of Crafts, and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences to this New Year’s reception.

The approximately 150 attendees, including 100 company representatives, once again confirmed that the organizers had created an interesting opportunity for close collaboration between academia and industry in our region. Through this opportunity for direct networking, new ideas are continually developed and projects initiated.

The focus of the evening was on the collaboration between HSZG and the Fraunhofer Society. First, the companies were briefed on the HSZG’s major project “LaNDER³” and encouraged to actively participate in the project. Additionally, there was a presentation on the current research topics and services offered by the Fraunhofer Plastics Center Zittau, which is located right next to the university. This was followed by a guided tour of the Fraunhofer Technical Center, which opened just last November.

Event participants were also interested in the tours of the production and manufacturing technology laboratories at the HSZG’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. The technical facilities are impressive and form the basis for a state-of-the-art Mechanical Engineering program offered in Zittau.