Science, Research & Technology
Science and research play a central role in exploiting the opportunities which open European borders and worldwide knowledge networks offer. Today, more than 50 % of Germany's industrial production concentrates on research and development industries.
Climate change, biodiversity, energy efficiency, world food supplies and population growth: The Year of Science 2012 is fully focused on sustainable development. The aim is to stimulate public awareness about sustainability research under the motto “Future Project Earth” by making current scientific developments accessible to a broader public. In the coming months numerous events are planned throughout Germany.
Stimulating awareness for sustainability
New impulses for university and research collaboration between Germany and Brazil: the German House of Science and Innovation (DWIH) has been opened in the Brazilian metropolis São Paulo. The institution’s task is to intensify the scientific and technological exchange with partners in Brazil and awaken interest in Germany as a research, science and innovation location.
A new platform for exchanges with Brazil
The efficiency of light sources is low, and a lot of energy is often lost. Three scientists from Dresden set out to find a solution to this problem.
German Future Prize
Scientific insights that can change our world are at the centre of a special scientific conference in Berlin. Twenty top international scientists from the natural sciences, humanities, life science, economics and technology, will be presenting their specialist disciplines at the third “Falling Walls Conference” which is being staged in the German capital on November 9, the anniversary of the fall of the Wall.
Science – a powerhouse of ideas
The Third World Health Summit, which is taking place in Berlin, will be spotlighting the worldwide challenges facing medical research and healthcare. Leading representatives from the fields of science, medicine, the healthcare sector, politics and civil society will be gathering at this important international forum at the Charité University Hospital in Berlin.
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Germany’s strong innovation profile has remained stable since the 2008 STI Outlook. Science and technology occupations are well represented in total employment, and medium and high-technology manufacturing exports have been robust for a number of years.
OECD Country Note Germany
German foundation donated 4.2 million PKR to Islamia University Bahawalpur
The German foundation Alexander-von-Humboldt-Stiftung donated equipment amounting to EUR 35,000 (approx. PKR 4.2 million) for the research on antibiotics to Muhammed Saleem and Naheed Riaz, who are analytical chemists at the Islamia University Bahawalpur. Dr. Thomas Ditt, Cultural Attaché at the Embassy in Islamabad, visited Bahawalpur in April 2011, officially handing over the device.
The University at Bahawalpur has been supported lately by senior experts sent by the Senior Expert Service (SES) consulting the university and supporting flood relief measures.
Read more at the university's website in Urdu
The Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association does research in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as on coasts and in high and mid-latitude oceans. It coordinates polar research in Germany, analyses global environmental changes, and contributes to deciphering the complex natural connections in the Earth System.
The Alfred Wegener Institute
The European Union is workingto create a common European Research Area. Joint political decisions underpin cooperation in the field of research between the countries of Europe.
European Research Area
Germany is a country usually associated with poets, thinkers and composers – and with the sort of top-notch high-tech products manufactured there. Such products are in demand the world over and German technology has even been used to clean the stone sculpture featuring the heads of former US presidents at Mount Rushmore.
Germany: Leader in Technology
Single cylinder, about 0.9 hp and a top speed of 12 km per hour: the German engineer Carl Benz revolutionized mobility 125 years ago with his patent automobile (photograph). His invention of 1886 is regarded as the world’s first car, and is very reminiscent of a coach without the horse. At that time, this strange looking three-wheeler with a petrol engine certainly raised a few doubtful eyebrows.
German inventive genius that changed the world
We want to be able to turn knowledge and ideas into new innovations as rapidly as possible. The German Government is therefore actively pursuing an ambitious strategy for innovation, its High-Tech Strategy 2020.
High-Tech Strategy 2020 for Germany
The Federal Foreign Office and the DAAD are supporting academic reconstruction in Afghanistan and in Iraq with special programmes. To build a better future these countries urgently need highly trained young professionals who can take responsibility in the fields of administration, business and research. Education is also key to the development of democratic structures and stability. Let’s look at just one of many examples of cooperation: TU Dortmund’s Faculty of Spatial Planning is putting a great deal of energy and effort into its partnership with four Iraqi higher education institutions.
Academic reconstruction in crisis regions
Three engineers have been awarded the German Future Prize 2010 for developing a hi-tech bionic handling assistant for industrial and household applications. Germany’s “innovation Oscar” was presented by Federal President Christian Wulff on December 1 in Berlin. The prize, which was founded in 1997, is endowed with 250,000 euros and is regarded as the most prestigious award for new technologies in Germany.
German Future Prize
They study negative environmental impacts on plants, research the perfect balance of synapses in the brain, examine changes in the monarchy and religion in Tibet, or collect data on the disappearance and survival of species in the course of the Earth's history.This year, 18 outstanding international young researchers will receive the prestigious Sofja Kovalevskaja Prizes 2010, which are awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.
Sofja Kovalevskaja Prizes 2010
The Federal Foreign Office funds a variety of scholarship programmes, which are important for the implementation of its research and academic relations policy. The programmes enable the top international specialists of tomorrow to undertake periods of study or research in Germany. At the same time, they lay the foundation for research partnerships with the world’s best minds. Jun Zhu, a lawyer from China and doctoral student in Göttingen, is one of them. Like many highly qualified young graduates from abroad, he receives financial support from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Scholarship programmes
Forty-five years ago, young Germans were first called upon to participate in a research competition under the motto “We’re Looking for the Researchers of Tomorrow!” – marking the birth of the Young Researchers competition. The aim of the contest is to arouse young Germans’ enthusiasm for science and research and to promote the up-and-coming young scientists and researchers who are so essential to Germany’s future.
Young Germans Engage in Research
“We want to learn about new archaeological methods”
Aydogdy Kurbanov, Turkmen visiting researcher at the Eurasian Department of the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin
Aydogdy Kurbanov from Turkmenistan is researching the secrets of the White Huns at the German Archaeological Institute (DAI) in Berlin. For decades, international networking has been an important part of the programme of the DAI, one of the largest and leading institutions of its kind in the world. Although archaeologists’ work focuses on long-past centuries, it often provides new insights into a country’s history and thereby plays a role in promoting a common identity.
Aydogdy Kurbanov
“Nanotechnology offers fascinating possibilities”
Dr Cinzia Casiraghi, Project Director at the Institute for Experimental Physics at the Free University in Berlin
Cinzia Casiraghi from Italy is conducting research into graphene, a recently discovered carbon material. This high-tech substance has great potential – above all, in the areas of electrical engineering and computer technology. Germany is one of the leading countries in nanotechnology. As a top-rank junior researcher in this innovative research field, the Italian was honoured with the prestigious German Sofja Kovalevskaja Award in 2008, which has enabled her to set up her own research group at the Free University in Berlin.
Dr. Cinzia Casiraghi
“The importance of humanitarian studies and conflict research will continue to grow”
Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul, Professor in the Management of Humanitarian Crises at the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum Professor Dennis Dijkzeul discovered just how important it is to have first-hand knowledge of local people’s needs while working in crisis regions in various continents. The Dutch academic now teaches the theory and practice of humanitarian assistance. Working from Bochum with colleagues in other countries, he has spearheaded the discipline of humanitarian studies in Europe – a field with great potential.
Prof. Dr. Dennis Dijkzeul
German can be easily learned and taught.
Anastassiya Semyonova, lecturer in German as a foreign language and research associate at Göttingen University's Intercultural German Studies Centre Anastassiya Semyonova from Kazakhstan conducts research into the German language and how best to teach German as a foreign language. As a member of staff at the Intercultural German Studies Centre, cross-border perspectives and international cooperation are an integral part of her research work.
Anastassiya Semyonova
“Germany has an excellent international reputation in renewable energies”
Patricia Chaves from Rio de Janeiro began her training as an engineer in Brazil and made a very conscious decision to specialize in renewable energies in Germany – by completing a postgraduate programme at the University of Oldenburg. Today she is a PhD student at the German Wind Energy Institute (DEWI) in Wilhelmshaven. She regards wind energy as an important future energy source also for Brazil.
Patricia Chaves
"We also want to attract internationally distinguished scientists as teachers"
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Liqiu Meng, Vice-President of the Technische Universität München and head of the Department of Cartography
Professor Liqiu Meng from China is the vice-president of a German university. The internationally recognized expert in geoinformatics took on this top position at the Technische Universität München (technical university in Munich) a year ago. One of her key tasks is to further the international character of the acclaimed university of excellence.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Liqiu Meng
"Creativity and innovation play a key role in global competition"
Professor Karlheinz Brandenburg is one of the stars of German research: His work created the foundation for the development of the MP3 standard, one of the greatest high-tech success stories of recent years. The director of the Fraunhofer Institute in Ilmenau is an Ambassador for the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009.
Science Needs International Networks
Rafig Azzam, professor of engineering geology and hydrogeology, researches and teaches at RWTHAachenUniversity. Important questions relating to environmental and water management are his main concerns. He attaches great importance to international exchange because "we can learn a lot from one another".
