Intensifying the exchange between civil society and universities - this was the goal pursued by the University and Jade University of Applied Sciences with the Innovative University Jade-Oldenburg! project. At the end of project, they took stock.
"Once world champion - always world champion. The University of Oldenburg and the Jade University of Applied Sciences will remain true to this motto even after the end of the 'Innovative Universities' project. It is impressive to see the vigour with which you have jointly pursued the transfer over the past few years and what has come out of it. The boost in the area of 'Third Mission' will have an impact far beyond the project." With these words, Lower Saxony's Science Minister Björn Thümler opened the closing event of the Innovative University Jade-Oldenburg! (IHJO) project at Oldenburg Castle. Thümler recognised the achievements of the IHJO on its way to sustainably intensifying the exchange between civil society and universities as an "innovative milestone with an impact on the entire north-west of Lower Saxony and beyond".
Under the motto "Wissen.schaf(f)t.Transfer", the project partners - the University of Oldenburg, the Jade University of Applied Sciences and the university-affiliated OFFIS Institute - presented the results of five years of cooperation during the course of the event. A panel discussion was also part of the programme. The IHJO was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the state of Lower Saxony with around 11 million euros as part of the federal-state initiative "Innovative University". It was the only project funded in Lower Saxony in the 2018 to 2022 project period.
The importance of the IHJO: citizen dialogue, lifelong learning and knowledge transfer
"As universities, we create knowledge, impart skills and research interrelationships on a daily basis. At the same time, it is our task to consistently break new ground in order to enter into dialogue with citizens and involve them in research. We have achieved this in an outstanding way with the IHJO and thus actively promoted the innovative strength of the region," said University President Prof Dr Ralph Bruder. The President of Jade University, Prof. Dr Manfred Weisensee, emphasised the importance of lifelong learning: "As an educational institution, it is important for us to focus on providing tailor-made knowledge transfer for all phases of life. The 'Innovative University Jade Oldenburg!' project has sustainably expanded our spectrum in this area, and we will not only continue to open up the university to society, but also continue to actively engage with the region."
Prof Dr Sebastian Lehnhoff, Chairman of the Board of the OFFIS computer science institute, added: "Science transfer to society, but also to industry, is a bridge that needs to be built and maintained. The IHJO has succeeded in doing this remarkably well. Sustainable structures have been created that will be continued by the project partners in the future. I am convinced that the IHJO is and will continue to set the standard for transfer formats in the north-west."
Programmes from the digital lab to the science truck
Over the past five years, the IHJO has organised over 500 events with around 18,000 participants. The project responded to the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic with new formats: in summer 2021, for example, the Science Truck was converted into a vaccination mobile at short notice, in which over 4,500 vaccinations were carried out. Numerous events were held online, including, for example, training courses for teachers on planning and implementing digital lessons.
At the closing event, IHJO employees presented examples of the transfer formats implemented around the university study locations of Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven and Elsfleth at various stands. For example, the "SchülerWissen" sub-project presented teaching materials and experiments from events that brought research topics from the universities to schools. Guests were able to explore the "Innovation(s) Campus" with several 3D printers, a digital laboratory and coworking spaces on a virtual tour. The IHJO's mobile research platform, the Science Truck, was presented in the castle courtyard.
What happens after the end of project
The university and Jade University of Applied Sciences will continue to offer numerous programmes beyond the end of the project. At the university, for example, the Innovation(s) Campus will continue to be available to university members as well as company representatives and those interested in founding a company for brainstorming and prototype development. The programmes for doctoral students developed in the project will be included in the portfolio of the Graduate Academy and the Graduate Schools at the University of Oldenburg.
At the Jade University of Applied Sciences, the mentoring programme will be continued, in which company representatives support students in higher semesters with career guidance. The "BürgerLabor" programme will also be continued. It invites citizens to participate in scientific research through surveys and polls.
Under the "Innovative University Jade-Oldenburg!" brand, both universities are also planning joint events and programmes for the transfer of ideas, knowledge and technology in the future.