Chris Liebold
Jacob MüllerWithin the framework of the Chemnitz-Ilmenau-Magdeburg Research and Innovation Network (CHIM), Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, Rector of TU Chemnitz, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Sattler, President of TU Ilmenau, and Prof. Dr. Jens Strackeljan, Rector of Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, today (Oct. 13, 2023) signed a new framework agreement to strengthen the long-standing cooperation between the universities with engineering and natural science profiles. The new framework agreement manifests and concretizes the original cooperation agreement of the Association of Central German Universities from 2008 and regulates the future scientific cooperation and organization of the research and innovation network CHIM.
The three universities complement each other excellently in the network, which is dedicated in particular to human-technology interaction and will also expand in 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", the TU Ilmenau in the field of "Intelligent Sensor Technology and Complex Systems" and the OVGU Magdeburg in the research field of "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Engineering".
"The cooperation with the TU Ilmenau and the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg already has a long tradition, but recently it has developed and intensified an enormous dynamic, which we are extremely pleased about. CHIM thus represents 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 TU Chemnitz.
Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Sattler, President of the TU Ilmenau, says: "The three universities face similar challenges with their profiles and their role for the respective region and Central Germany. Therefore, we expect new ideas and impulses from the expansion and intensification of the already long-standing research cooperations. 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 conducted across disciplinary boundaries and in strong alliances. With the universities of Ilmenau and Chemnitz, we have partners that we know and trust. Moreover, as technically profiled universities, we are united by the fact 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 exploit synergies between the universities. For example, innovative approaches to solving research questions are to be developed and networking of research infrastructure and resources is to be sought. Joint research projects, lecture series and cooperation in the promotion of young scientists are also planned.
The partner universities expressly acknowledge their responsibility to the region of Central Germany and want to jointly develop concepts to strengthen this science and technology location. The signing of the framework agreement thus marks an important milestone for the future cooperation of the three universities. Further research initiatives resulting from the intensified development of joint strategies are to follow in the near future.
Further information on the Chemnitz-Ilmenau-Magdeburg Research and Innovation Network (CHIM): www.forschungsnetzwerk-chim.de