Industry on Campus 2022–2027
The list of companies providing financial and practical support to the project leaves no doubt as to its importance for industrial production in the region. Led by industry giants such as Herrenknecht AG, Hobart GmbH, and Erwin Junker Maschinenfabrik GmbH, a total of 24 well-known medium-sized companies are currently participating in the “Industry on Campus” technology transfer project.
In the presence of Michael Kleiner, Director General at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism, company representatives, together with Rector Prof. Dr. Stephan Trahasch, officially launched “Industry on Campus.” Prof. Alfred Isele initiated the financing and organization of the project. Isele teaches and conducts research at the Department of Maschinenbau and Process Engineering at Hochschule Offenburg and heads Industry on Campus.
“Mechanical and plant engineering in the state is the driving force behind the energy and mobility transition as well as the safeguarding of prosperity. This must be recognized in our society and especially by the younger generation,” said Michael Kleiner. “The Industry on Campus initiative, jointly supported by industry and the University, will make a valuable contribution to securing a skilled workforce and strengthening innovation and sustainability. I thank all partners for their strong commitment. Strong engineering disciplines and an intensive transfer of knowledge and technology in Baden-Württemberg are key success factors for our industry in the global competition for innovation.”
Project Objectives
Under the patronage of State Minister of Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, “Industry on Campus” aims to make large-scale production in the southern Upper Rhine region competitive. Maschinenbau is once again proving to be a driver of future technologies and, through this initiative, is helping to secure a skilled workforce.
The project aims to adapt technologies used in large-scale production to medium-scale production runs. To this end, new design models, for example, will be developed. As a result, industrial companies will be able to significantly reduce their energy and material consumption, thereby improving their sustainability performance and lowering costs. At Hochschule Offenburg, the partner companies will receive support through centers of excellence: Application-oriented research is intended to generate innovative solutions in areas such as design and production. Industry on Campus thus creates the framework for close cooperation between academia and industry, making industrial manufacturing in the region fit for the future. The initiative is scheduled to run for approximately five years.
The Importance of the IoC Initiative for Securing a Skilled Workforce and Knowledge Transfer
Stephan Trahasch emphasized the importance of Industry on Campus for technology transfer in the region: “This collaboration between academia and industry, aimed at ensuring the long-term viability of the southern Upper Rhine as an industrial hub, is a prime example of successful technology transfer. In addition to maintaining our innovative strength, knowledge transfer is about strengthening and securing the pool of skilled workers for the long term. Technical professions have traditionally been well-represented in our region, and our companies need engineers with the best possible training. We are working on this together with our partners. It is important that the University and the business community work closely together.”