25 Partner Institutes of KIT in India

Close cooperation between scientists from different disciplines

Mohit Yadav, the Indian Consul General for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg and Economic Consul N. Ramakrishnan visited Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) this week. KIT Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs Professor Dr. Thomas Hirth gave an overview, among other topics, of key research areas, structures and internationalization.

Integrated into the Technology Region Karlsruhe (TRK), where “innovation comes from tradition”, diversity shows the special strength of this region. No wonder that the motto here is “high tech meets the good life”. That is definitely the essence of the Technology Region. “The region expresses that well,” says Prof. Hirth. After all, there is a high density of research, science and development here in the southwest of the country.

Consul General Yadav was interested in the internationality of KIT: 24 percent of the students have an international background, while around 220 Indian students study at KIT – and around 20 percent of the scientific employees of KIT too – from 120 countries. Whether “Center for Artificial Intelligence Talents”, “Center Humans and Technology”, “Mobility Systems Center” or “Energy Center”: KIT with its large research infrastructure is internationally positioned – also looking on the KIT Centers, which are interdisciplinary. The close cooperation between scientists from different disciplines create a great potential for leading edge research. This inevitably leads to the attraction of leading international researchers, according to Prof. Hirth.

In addition, research-oriented teaching at KIT ensures that ideas are ultimately put into practice. Technology transfer: In the past year, 50 startups came out of KIT, "that is becoming more and more important", says Prof. Hirth.

Of particular interest to Consul General Yadav were the 25 partner institutes of KIT in India - whether material sciences, electronics, geophysics, water treatment, climate & environment or urban planning. "India offers many opportunities for cooperation - in many areas," says Oliver Schmidt, acting Head Regional Strategy and Information - International Affairs: "Especially looking into the future."

Consul General Yadav pointed out to support on the political level, in addition, to provide initial contacts, to further strengthen existing cooperations and – in already existing clusters – link up partners closer. After all, there is already a cooperation with the IIT Mumbai in Maharashtra, the Indian state with which Baden-Württemberg also maintains a partnership.

In addition to all the contracts, it is important to fill them with life, including direct local contacts, as Prof. Hirth emphasized. According to Consul General Yadav, it is helpful that trips to India are slowly being resumed. Pleasing approaches: the results, whether research, teaching or exchange, could be scaled up! “We currently have a good basis on which we can continue to build,” agreed Consul General Yadav and Prof. Hirth.

Info: www.kit.edu