BTU and the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce are taking their long-standing partnership to the next level

On Monday 9 November 2026, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) and the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) signed a permanent cooperation agreement, thereby placing their long-standing collaboration on a new footing. The agreement aims to integrate research, knowledge transfer and business practice more closely and to strengthen the region as a centre of innovation. It was signed by the president of the BTU, Prof. Dr Gesine Grande, and the Chief Executive of the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce, André Fritsche. 

“For us, the Cottbus Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the most important regional partner for the local business community. Our engagement with companies gives rise to research projects, industry-backed PhD programmes and career pathways for our students,” says Prof. Dr Gesine Grande, president of the BTU. “With the individual agreement we have signed today, we are further developing our collaboration, which is characterised by a high degree of trust, and jointly advancing Cottbus as a centre of knowledge and innovation. Two key areas are at the heart of this: promoting innovation and knowledge transfer, and securing a skilled workforce and providing further training.”

IHK Chief Executive André Fritsche emphasises: “The future of a strong Lusatia lies where research meets entrepreneurial spirit and innovations find their way into business practice. With this agreement, we are further expanding the bridges between the university and industry. Our aim is to make it easier for businesses to access knowledge, talent and innovation, and to connect students, graduates and international skilled workers with regional businesses at an early stage. In this way, we strengthen the competitiveness of businesses and create long-term prospects for the region.”

Knowledge for businesses

Small and medium-sized companies in particular are set to benefit: they gain direct access to the latest research findings, practice-oriented innovation projects and the BTU’s scientific infrastructure. Conversely, the university takes up issues raised by businesses and incorporates them into its research.

To help businesses find suitable contacts and opportunities more quickly, the BTU is continuing to develop its transfer database. At the BTU Transfer Day and through transfer events organised by the regional offices in Spremberg and Finsterwalde, businesses can engage directly with the academic community, including on-site within the region. The Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) is also involved in events such as the networking conference organised by the Centre for Hybrid Electric Systems Cottbus (chesco) and the roadshow organised by the WIR! alliance MR4B – Mixed Reality For Business, thereby giving businesses access to new technologies and partners from the worlds of academia and the technology sector. Through its seat on the Scientific Advisory Board of the Centre for Continuing Education (ZWW), the IHK also represents the continuing education needs of the regional economy.

Skilled workers for Lusatia

Students, including those from abroad, should come into contact with regional companies at an early stage – for example, through internships, final-year projects and career entry programmes – so that they remain in the region after graduation. The BTU and the IHK are designing educational pathways to be flexible: they jointly promote dual study programmes, support prospective students and current students through a structured advisory process, offer joint career guidance to school pupils, and highlight business start-ups and business succession as career paths.

Background: The partnership in facts and figures

BTU and the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) have been working together for a long time. An initial cooperation agreement dates back to 1992, followed in 2018 by a multi-party agreement involving not only BTU and the IHK but also the Chamber of Crafts and the Job Centre. This is now to be gradually converted into individual agreements. The agreement with the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce is the first.

The partnership is managed by a standing working group comprising three representatives from each side. It meets at least twice a year and draws up an annual action plan and timetable with clear targets. The results will be assessed and published during an annual progress review. The first evaluation will take place after just six months, on 10 April 2027.