On June 10 and 11, the ATHENA cluster leaders gathered at the INCYTE Research Center at the University of Siegen for a strategic and organizational meeting. ATHENA organizes its activities into four clusters: Digitalization for All, Sustainable Production, Health & Well-being, and the Creative Industries.
Representatives from the University of Orléans, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin, and Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH) participated in the discussions. The goal was to increase the visibility of the clusters within the partner universities and to involve both staff and students more closely. In addition, participants had the opportunity to explore the new INCYTE Research Center during a guided tour led by Prof. Dr. Haring-Bolívar. During the tour, he presented the center’s diverse research opportunities and highlighted, in particular, the potential for international collaboration.
At the invitation of Prof. Dr. von Hehl, the group also visited the Buschhütten campus. Staff from the Chair of Materials Science and Testing and the Chair of International Production Engineering and Management (IPEM) presented their expertise in the areas of materials development and analysis, production management, and digitalization. In addition, they gave the guests a tour of the historic industrial building that houses the Siegen Smart Demonstration Factory (SDFS). Following the tour, the participants discussed joint research topics.
A visit to the open creativity and innovation lab FabLab Siegen concluded the program and strengthened collaboration in the field of teaching. In addition, opportunities for developing a joint study program in cooperation with“LinkMenų fabrikas,”the creative, innovation, and prototyping center at VILNIUS TECH, were discussed.
The ATHENA team would like to extend its sincere thanks to all participants for their commitment and their contribution to the success of this productive meeting!
