Close cooperation for ten years: the University Association celebrates its anniversary

“Applied research from the Upper Palatinate and for the world”: this is the title of the “High Palatinate Lecture Series” on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Regensburg-Amberg-Weiden University Union. The event kicked off with a ceremony held at the headquarters of Novanta, which employs 3,000 people in 22 locations around the world and operates with innovative laser technology in Wackersdorf.

The company works closely with OTH’s ‘Design with Plastics’ group, which brings together competencies in the areas of ‘lightweight construction, laser material processing and additive manufacturing’. The speaker of this KMK research group is Professor Stefan Herl (OTH Regensburg), who led the “Lecture Series” together with Novanta Site Director Martin Hartmann.

120 new research projects

Vice President of OTH Amberg-Weiden, Professor Mike Altieri, sees the “Upper Palatinate Lecture Series” as an opportunity to present the results of the collaboration to the public and business partners. After all, 1,200 publications have been published so far, and 120 new research projects have been initiated.

For Deputy Area Director Richard Tischler, the interconnection between research and application enhances the performance of the local economy. Mayor Thomas Walther described the cooperation between the two universities as a successful model that also benefits the business location in Wackersdorf. Walther expects further momentum from the new technology transfer centre, which will be built in the municipal industrial area of ​​Schwandorf-Wackersdorf.

It is not limited to capitals

Martin Hartmann, Engineering Director at Novanta Europe GmbH and Site Manager at Wackersdorf, presented the latest materials processing methods and provided “examples of successful collaboration between business and science”. Professor Stefan Herl wants to take people with him in the region and talk to them about future issues, thus expressing that “education and research are not limited to big cities.”

The OTH network began in 2013 with the slogan “Networked Research and Collaborative Teaching.” Since then, OTH Regensburg and OTH Amberg-Weiden have been working together. The two independent universities combine their strengths under one name to create and secure added value in the region. Together, the Society advances research and encourages young scientists through networking.

For this purpose, nine research groups were created. One researcher from each university takes turns leading the individual groups. The content revolves around the development of new technologies, modern materials, innovative methods and the exchange between business, science and society.