Two reasons to celebrate

In recent weeks, the Saxony5 Transfer Network has had two reasons to celebrate: First, around 100 project participants from Saxony’s universities of applied sciences (HAW) as well as partners from business and society gathered to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Saxony5 Transfer Network. Second, the network was delighted to receive official funding approval for another five years of effective work in knowledge and technology transfer.

For the past five years, knowledge and technology transfer activities in Saxony have been increasing noticeably. The Saxony5 Transfer Network, with its diverse range of activities, is one of the key drivers behind this growth. Since 2018, the Dresden University of Applied Sciences, the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences for Technology, Business, and Culture, Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, and West Saxon University of Applied Sciences in Zwickau have been working together to advance knowledge and technology transfer in Saxony and to strengthen the region in a sustainable manner.

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, the network celebrated its fifth anniversary at the Altes Pumpenhaus in Dresden, looked back on its achievements, and toasted the end of the first project phase. But this was not a farewell; rather, it was a look forward to the future with great anticipation, as Saxony⁵ had applied to continue the project in a second phase. As early as this summer, the Federal Ministry had indicated that this application had convinced the reviewers and that funding was expected.

In addition to remarks by Project Director Susanne Stump and the HAW’s Prorectors for Research—with the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences represented by Prof. Sophia Keil (Vice President for Education and International Affairs), Saxony’s Minister of State for Science, Sebastian Gemkow, also sent his greetings. A highlight was the keynote address by science presenter Ralph Casper (Quarks, Wissen macht Ah! and Sendung mit der Maus) on the topic of science communication.

The second reason to celebrate came last week: The five Saxon universities received the official grant notifications for the follow-up project, thereby providing the hoped-for security for the future. Prof. Gunther Göbel, overall project director of Saxony⁵, is delighted: “Now we can make all the necessary preparations so that things can continue smoothly in 2023. It’s important that business and society benefit more from the many results of university research. That’s why we want to further expand knowledge and technology transfer in Saxony and, above all, facilitate its continuity.”

For the follow-up project phase from January 2023 through 2027, Saxony⁵ will focus on the topic of “sustainability.” As Prof. Raj Kollmorgen, project manager for Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and Prorector for research, emphasizes, “Focusing on sustainability means not only integrating ecological, economic, and social sustainability aspects into transfer projects but also the structured expansion of transfer instruments, taking into account their long-term effects and opportunities for institutionalization in the regions.” As the event underscored, knowledge and technology transfer between universities, society, and the business sector does not happen on its own. Therefore, the insights gained from the first project phase will be used to drive the process of change within the universities and enable its long-term establishment.

There is already no shortage of ideas for this at HSZG. For example, Prof. Keil has suggested that Saxony⁵ could play a role in student education in the future: