Fraunhofer-IWU at the HSZG

Good coordination with the initial development work for the Fraunhofer Technikum on the Zittau campus was reported by the director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Prof. Dr. Welf-Guntram Drossel, reported on strategies and prospects for joint regional research and teaching in the border triangle during one of the regular colloquia of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Of particular significance here is the idea for an “Upper Lusatia Plastics Center,” which will be based on the needs and potential of regional SMEs—in particular POLYSAX as an educational center for plastics.

For the research collaboration enshrined in the associated cooperation agreement, Prof. Drossel identified projects focusing on plastics engineering and technology in which institutes—in particular the IPM and other faculties at the university—will be involved. Here, Rector Prof. Albrecht once again emphasized the importance of knowledge transfer to companies in the region.

With regard to the university’s social mission to provide education, a joint professorship in “Function-Integrating Polymer Technologies” established by Fraunhofer -IWU and the university, a major and challenging initiative is being implemented to provide tiered and coordinated educational programs at the Bautzen Study Academy, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and the Technical University of Liberec.

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering will continue to actively support the newly appointed colleague and wishes him plenty of energy and good luck for the entire project.