Bringing science and companies into contact - that is the aim of the Innosys NordWest project. University researchers can use an online platform to offer laboratories, training or advice.
Contact with regional companies is essential for many research groups - for example to arrange internships for students or to find cooperation partners for practical research projects. The joint project Innosys NordWest (Regionales Innovatiossystem NordWest) between the University of Oldenburg, Jade University of Applied Sciences and Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences aims to strengthen cooperation between business and universities.
The central element is the "Marketplace for Innovations", an online platform that has recently been launched. Laboratories and research groups from the three universities and other research institutions in the region that are interested in a closer exchange with industry can post offers there and thus give companies access to their laboratories. "Our aim is to support companies in the north-west of Lower Saxony with research and development," explains project leader Prof Dr Wolfgang Nebel from the University of Oldenburg.
Offers for interested companies
The "Marketplace for Innovation" works in a similar way to an online shopping platform: interested users enter a search term on the website, receive an overview of offers and can send an enquiry at the click of a mouse. More than a hundred offers are currently available, such as a test platform for production at the OFFIS computer science institute or the innovation workshop at the Innovative University of Applied Sciences Jade Oldenburg (IHJO).
Interested companies can, for example, rent laboratories or individual pieces of equipment at the universities, co-operate with research groups or award research contracts. "The search engine provides a broad yet clearly structured range of offers," says Nebel. This gives companies the opportunity to come into contact with highly qualified experts from the universities and jointly launch innovations.
Contact with regional companies
The services offered by the scientific community are not limited to technical infrastructure, but also include training and advice - particularly in the area of digitalisation. Participation in the platform is also worthwhile for researchers, emphasises Nebel: "It is an opportunity to acquire third-party funding and increase public awareness." In addition, practical project content and contact with regional companies are also attractive for students.
In order to minimise the workload for the scientists involved, technical editors prepare the universities' offers and post them on the web platform. "In a way, the scientists are given a showcase for their research," reports Nebel.
In the Innosys NordWest project, the participating universities, chambers of commerce in the region, business development agencies and technology centres work closely together. The state of Lower Saxony is funding the project as part of the "Transfer in Lower Saxony: Strong structures for innovative projects" programme with a total of around 2.25 million euros over the next five years.