Global Innovative Networks
Premiere: The „AC21 International Forum“ will take place from 30 April to 3 May 2016 at Chemnitz – Registration open
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TU Chemnitz is strongly networked on the regional, national, and international level in order to generate insights from research and teaching. Graphik: Jacob Müller
In the era of globalization, universities are more than ever required to engage in worldwide networking because excellent scientific performance grounds in international cooperation. Working together with international partners opens up innovation potentials and provides sustainable contributions in dealing with global challenges. Furthermore, cross-country collaboration also enhances the mobility of students and scientists.
The “Academic Consortium for the 21st Century” (AC21), which was founded in 2002, counts among these successful global networks. It currently includes 19 member universities from five continents. They are situated in industrialized countries (i.a. USA, Australia, Japan, France) as well as in emerging and developing countries (i.a. China, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, South Africa). As one of the founding members, Technische Universität Chemnitz is a key driver in strengthening its global collaboration.
The biannual “AC21 International Forum” counts among the most important events of the network. In 2016, TU Chemnitz will host this conference for the first time. More than 100 guests, among them presidents, rectors, and university managers from AC21-member universities, are expected to come to Chemnitz for this event. From 30 April to 3 May, they will discuss different aspects of the overarching theme “Networks of innovation for the transformation of society through science”.
Keynote speakers will be the President of the German Academic Exchange Service, Prof. Dr. Margret Wintermantel, the Saxon Minister for Science and the Arts, Dr. Eva-Maria Stange, as well as Dr. Michael Korte, Head of Predevelopment of Car Concepts at AUDI AG.
During the Forum, “best practices” from different regions of the world are presented in order to initiate a process of mutual learning. In this regard, approaches for the development of knowledge regions in the USA, South Africa, Poland, and Germany will be evaluated. Also the City of Chemnitz will serve as an example for the close and successful cross-links between science, culture, and society. Furthermore, the conference will deal with initiative to develop and strengthen a transfer culture within trans-disciplinary and cross-sector networks as well as the creation of appropriate framework conditions for sustainable activities within international networks. Finally, the participants in the event will also get insight into the Federal Excellence Cluster “Merge Technologies for Multifunctional Lightweight Structures” (MERGE) at TU Chemnitz.
The AUDI AG is Premium Sponsor of the "AC21 International Forum".
For further information and registration for the event, please access the following link: https://www.tu-chemnitz.de/ac21 or email: if2016@tu-chemnitz.de (Important notice for members of TU Chemnitz: it is possible for academic staff members of TU Chemnitz who participate in the conference to claim a reimbursement of the registration fee within their travel expense report. The faculties are too provided limited resources for financial support. In case of further questions (including to the registration code for academic staff members of TU Chemnitz), please contact: if2016@tu-chemnitz.de. Please register for the event until 20 April 2016.)
Also read the article „A Network for Shaping the Role of Universities in the 21st Century“.
Further information on the „Academic Consortium for the 21st Century“ (AC21): http://www.ac21.org/english/index
(Translation: Dr. Wolfgang Lambrecht)
Mario Steinebach
17.03.2016
