In the week from 12 to 15 June 2023, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, represented by Maximilian Druselmann (Transferwerk), was a guest at the State Representation of the Free State of Thuringia to the European Union in Brussels.

Together with seven other colleges and universities in Thuringia, the event focussed on regional innovation ecosystems and funding opportunities at EU level. The aim of the exchange was to learn more about innovation ecosystems and best practices in Europe, to establish new networks and to strengthen access to European cooperation partners and funding opportunities, particularly for innovation activities. The key issues of all discussions and talks were always the role of universities in innovation systems from a European perspective, how to deal with the shortage of skilled labour and how innovation topics can be given greater consideration in teaching.

In addition to networks such as the European Regions Research and Innovation Network (ERRIN), Universities of Applied Sciences for Europe (UAS4EUROPE) and the European University Alliance E³UDRES² European University, there was a wealth of information on projects such as the Greenwise Campus in the Netherlands and the WORT project at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences.

We would like to thank all speakers, participants and the national representation for the successful delegation trip.

About the Transferwerk

The Transferwerk of Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (T-HSN) structures possible projects for cooperation between scientists at the university, partners and citizens of the region and acts as an innovation-orientated cooperation partner both internally and externally. The transfer activities focus on the topics of public services, GreenTech and climate protection for society as a whole. The interface function of the Transferwerk aims to strengthen internal research activities by contributing to third-party funding, to disseminate them nationwide by means of science communication and to support networking with potential partners. The project is managed by Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, Prof Dr Steffen Dörhöfer and Prof Dr Elmar Hinz.