High-profile representatives from government and the research sector gathered yesterday in Berlin for a festive kickoff event in honor of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s eponym, the researcher and entrepreneur Joseph von Fraunhofer. This event also focused on the importance of innovation for Germany's future competitiveness.
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft president Holger Hanselka opened the kickoff event with a keynote address honoring the man after whom one of the most important research organizations in the world was named: “More than 200 years ago, Joseph von Fraunhofer demonstrated that research and practical application belong together. This philosophy continues to shape the work of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft to this day. Fraunhofer stands for innovative strength and the ability to transform knowledge into value creation. Our goal is to quickly and effectively translate scientific findings into marketable solutions. In this way, we are making an indispensable contribution to the competitiveness of our country and to overcoming global challenges.”
In her welcoming address, Dorothee Bär, German Federal Minister of Research, Technology, and Space, emphasized the importance of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft for the country's innovative strength: “The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s eponym was both a curious researcher and successful entrepreneur. Joseph von Fraunhofer laid the foundation for what the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft still embodies today: With its clear focus on emerging technologies, Fraunhofer drives innovation across German industry, making it one of the most impactful organizations in the German science system. Through the High-Tech Agenda, we aim to position Germany as a leading technology hub, strengthening international competitiveness, value creation and technological sovereignty. To achieve this, we not only have to conduct excellent research; we also have to put our findings into practice. That is precisely what the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft stands for. Germany possesses all the necessary prerequisites to excel in the global technology race and lead the way in securing breakthroughs.”
Today, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is one of Europe's leading organizations for applied research and a key player in the German innovation system. “Technology transfer is our core business. “In order to significantly accelerate the transfer of technological solutions into practical applications and to convert innovative strength into value creation, we must close our ranks between research, industry and government,” stressed Holger Hanselka. In this context, the Fraunhofer president welcomed Germany's High-Tech Agenda as a driver for sustainable progress: “With the High-Tech Agenda, we are laying the groundwork to ensure that innovative ideas not only originate in people's minds but also find their way into practical applications. This is our compass for actively shaping digital and technological change. Fraunhofer is prepared to assume responsibility as an essential innovation partner of industry and to bridge the gap between political objectives, technological excellence and industrial scaling.”
Maria Böhmer, President of the German Commission for UNESCO, addressed the participants with a short video message. Experts discussed Germany's future viability in global innovation competitiveness in a high-profile panel discussion. Irene Bertschek, Chair of the Commission of Experts for Research and Innovation (EFI), Siegfried Russwurm, President-elect of acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering, Effrosyni Chelioti, Head of Strategy and Policy Issues at the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and Constantin Häfner, Executive Board Member for Research and Transfer at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, highlighted key areas where Germany needs to take action in order to remain competitive on the global stage. They emphasized the need to remove regulatory and structural barriers to enable Germany to maintain its role as a leader in innovation. The Innovation Freedom Act represents a key step toward accelerating technology transfer, reducing bureaucracy and promoting Germany's innovative strength in the long term. Implementing visionary projects more quickly and efficiently is the order of the day, the experts said.
Further information on the Joseph von Fraunhofer commemorative year proclaimed by UNESCO on the 200th anniversary of his death is available here: Joseph von Fraunhofer
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft