Foundation of the Lusatia Science Network

On December 14, 2022, the Lusatia Science Network was founded in Cottbus. Within the framework of this association initiated by the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, the research institutions involved in Cottbus and Senftenberg cooperate with the aim of jointly strengthening the research location.

In the future, the participants want to hold joint conferences, promote young scientists, initiate collaborative scientific projects and invest in attracting specialists and marketing the science location.

The members of the association are:

  • Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
  • German Aerospace Center e.V.
  • Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V. for the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Energy Infrastructures and Geothermal Energy, the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research and the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems
  • Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics GmbH
  • Ferdinand-Braun-Institut gGmbH, Leibniz Institute for Highest Frequency Technology
  • Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development, Cottbus Regional Development Competence Center
  • Competence Center Climate Protection in Energy Intensive Industries of the Future - Environment - Society (ZUG) gGmbh
  • Power-to-X Lab Lausitz, practical laboratory for fuels and basic materials from green hydrogen, of Zukunft - Umwelt - Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH

Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande, President of the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and elected Chair of the Board of the Lusatia Science Network: "With the Lusatia Science Network, we are taking the next important step in making Cottbus and Senftenberg a visible and strong science location. We are learning from other science regions that strong networks lead to cutting-edge research, international attractiveness and regional economic success. For the Lusatia Science Park, which we are planning together with the city, the state and WISTA Management GmbH, this association is the scientific backbone."

Brandenburg's Science and Research Minister Dr. Manja Schüle: "Lusatia is a successful energy and industrial region that is constantly reinventing itself. For example, with the Lusatia Science Park, in which science and industry join forces to form an innovation and technology booster. The driving force: the Lusatia Science Network, a dynamic network with the BTU, non-university research institutions and strong partners from business and society. I am convinced that this is the way to successfully develop the new science and technology park into a competence center with charisma: interdisciplinary, international, innovative. This is what successful structural change 'Made by future' looks like."

In addition to Prof. Dr. Gesine Grande as chair of the five-member board, Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kahmen, Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics, was elected vice-chair and Prof. Dr. Uwe Riedel, German Aerospace Center, Institute forLow CO2 Industrial Processes, was elected treasurer of the Lusatia Science Network. Further board members are: Prof. Dr. Mario Ragwitz, head of the Fraunhofer-IEG as well as Dr. Harry Lehmann, head of the Power-to-X Lab Lausitz.

Further research institutions can join the association in the future, when it will be formally entered into the register of associations soon.

Specialist contact

Dr. rer. pol. Johannes Staemmler
HVP Forschung und wissenschaftlicher Nachwuchs
T +49 (0) 355 69-3846
johannes.staemmler(at)b-tu.de

Press contact

Ilka Seer
Referat Corporate Identity
T +49 (0) 355 69-3612
ilka.seer(at)b-tu.de
The founding members of the Lusatia Science Network on December 14, 2022 at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. (from left to right): Michael Hübner (BTU), Thomas Büsse (IAP), Günther Tränkle (FBH), Karin-Irene Eiermann (FBH), Mario Ragwitz (EIG), Lars Enghardt (DLR), Harald Schenk (IPMS), Andreas Peter (DLR), Gesine Grande (BTU), Uwe Riedel (DLR), Gerhard Kahmen (IHP), Bernd Wenzel (KEI), Harry Lehmann (PtX), Andreas Otto (BBSR). Photo: BTU / Ralf Schuster