Although U.S. economic recovery remains modest, some cause for optimism can be found in the “manufacturing comeback” that has been bringing jobs back to regions where the shift to services has long been assumed. Policymakers interested in encouraging this trend often refer to Germany, where export-oriented manufacturing has remained a motor of economic growth in spite of high labor costs and strict labor regulations. Innovation capacity in Germany is often attributed to firms’ embeddedness in a highly decentralized system of application-oriented universities and research institutions.
On both sides of the Atlantic, innovative manufacturers depend on universities to cultivate a highly skilled and adaptable workforce. From the U.S., Albany and Pittsburgh serve as examples of regions in which the economy has turned around as a result of successful university-industry collaboration. Dr. Robert E. Geer, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE), University of Albany, SUNY, will present how the CNSE has established significant relationships and impact with SMEs and large companies. Dr. Marc Malandro, Associate Vice Chancellor for Technology Management and Commercialization at the University of Pittsburgh, will discuss innovative practices between the University of Pittsburgh and companies in the region. They will be joined by a representative from Tokyo Electron (TEL), which established its first R&D center outside of Japan in 2003 on the campus of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at the University of Albany.
Dr. Hans-Jürgen Pfisterer, Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, will bring the German perspective to the discussion. His presentation will focus on how his research group at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences supports the research and skill development needs of
special machine manufacturers in the region, with a particular emphasis on SME manufacturers that need to keep pace with increasingly demanding environmental regulations and consumer demand for green technology.
Dr. Bernd Reissert, President of the Berlin School of Economics and Law, will moderate this discussion.
The panel discussion will take place at the German Center for Research and Innovation New York on Wednesday, November 7, 2012, at 8 a.m., at the German House New York (871 United Nations Plaza, First Avenue, btw. 48th & 49th Streets.) To RSVP, click here.
The event is co-sponsored by UAS7, German Universities of Applied Sciences. UAS7 is a strategic alliance of seven leading German universities of applied sciences committed to excellence in teaching and research. This ‘alliance for excellence‘ includes the Berlin School of Economics and Law, Bremen University of Applied Sciences (UAS), Cologne UAS, Hamburg UAS, Munich UAS, Muenster UAS and Osnabrueck UAS. UAS7 is represented in the U.S. and Canada by its Liaison Office in New York City.
Unable to attend? Follow @gcri_ny and the hashtag #mfguni for live tweets.
A video recording will be available on www.germaninnovation.org shortly after the event.
