Furtwangen University attended TriRhenaTech Alliance meeting — partnering with universities and companies in the Upper Rhine region. Photo: TriRhenaTech
Furtwangen University member of TriRhenaTech Alliance
Furtwangen University (HFU) is further expanding its role in the Tri-Border Region through academic and practice-oriented collaborations. HFU President Dr. Alexandra Bormann and Prof. Dr. Christoph Reich, Vice President for Research and Sustainability, attended the conference of the trinational alliance “TriRhenaTech.” Within this network, universities from Germany, France and Switzerland work closely together to strengthen teaching, research, technology transfer and partnerships with businesses in the tri-border region.
Founded in 2014, the TriRhenaTech Alliance brings together more than 20 universities of applied sciences in the Upper Rhine region. The network’s goal is to expand cross-border cooperation and jointly develop solutions to societal and technological challenges. A particular focus is on involving companies and industry partners in the region to bring innovations directly into practice and attract skilled workers to the Upper Rhine region.
A central theme of the conference was the EU-funded Interreg project, “Oberrhein TrinTEd,” launched in September 2023. The project aims to raise students’ awareness of career opportunities in neighbouring countries and strengthen their intercultural skills — abilities that are particularly important in a cross-border region such as the Upper Rhine.
“European cooperation is becoming increasingly important. TriRhenaTech brings Europe to life as a cross-border network — right on our doorstep,” says President Dr. Bormann. “Through joint projects, we bring students into contact with companies and institutions in the Tri-Border Region at an early stage. This not only fosters new professional and intercultural skills but also creates concrete opportunities for internships, theses and career entry in one of Europe’s strongest economic regions.”
“TriRhenaTech also strengthens cross-border research as well as the transfer of knowledge and technology. The EU’s Interreg programme supports many of the resulting sustainable collaborations, thus helping to advance innovation together,” says Prof. Dr. Reich.
In addition to its activities within the alliance, HFU is currently involved in several international research projects with strong practical relevance as part of Interreg. These include, for example, the ASIMUTE project (“Autoconsommation et Stockage Intelligents pour une Meilleure Utilisation de l’Énergie”), which focuses on AI-supported energy consumption forecasts for the optimised use of renewable energies.
Also part of the Interreg programme is the “VarioPore” project, which is developing a cost-effective, nanopore-based sensor technology for the rapid and reliable diagnosis of infectious diseases. And as part of the “HelpMeWalk” project, Furtwangen University is collaborating with international partners on the future of 3D body scanning in orthotics.
Says Prof. Dr. Christoph Reich, “Through the TriRhenaTech Alliance and as part of the Interreg projects, we combine cutting-edge research with concrete practical needs. Together with partner universities and companies in the Upper Rhine region, we are developing solutions for the future. Our researchers contribute their expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, sensor technology and flexible electronics — thereby creating innovations that have a direct impact on the region and open up new opportunities for companies and students.”