"Reach New Heights": SEED in action at HFU

In order to make sustainable development-related research and transfer at Furtwangen University possible, the University actively encourages intensive networking both inside and outside the University. HFU is embedded in an all-encompassing innovation ecosystem. Academics, research and transfer all contribute in various ways to the social, ecological and economic challenges which concern many of us. HFU is networked with:

• SMEs in the Black Forest which combine their competences in the so-called wvib Schwarzwald AG (Baden Trade Association of Industrial Companies). Many of these businesses are leading innovators in their field and are active worldwide, for example in the field of sensors, environmental and process engineering, "connected health" and medical technology.
   
• World class brands which design the infrastructures of the future together with governments in the fields of "smart cities" and the mobility of the future.
   
• Research institutes such as the Fraunhofer Institutes which are, for example, responsible for driving forward the future production, transport, storage and use of energy.
   
• Start-ups in the field of sustainable development, for example the smart accelerator in the so-called Energy Valley in Breisgau.
   
• International partner universities who, like HFU, are committed to contributing to sustainable development in their societies.

The SEED innovation ecosystem

Below you will find links to HFU initiatives and other selected links in our SEED-related innovation ecosystem.

• Institute for Applied Research (IAF)
  Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mescheder, Vice-President Research
   
• Care & Technology Lab (IMTT)
  Applied interdisciplinary research projects at the interface between man, technology and social inclusion. A ground-breaking example: SONIA
   
• Upper-Rhine Research Alliance for the technical Principles of Sustainability
  Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mescheder, Vice-President Research
   
• Upper Rhine 4.0
  Trinational Industry 4.0 Network of Excellence: The future of production: sustainable digitalization and networking of value chains
  Research team HFU
   
• Institute for Cloud Computing and IT Security (IFCCITS)
  Prof. Dr. Chistoph Reich, Faculty of Computer Science
   
• Innovation and Gender Research
  Prof. Dr. Ulrike Busolt, Faculty of Medical and Mechanical Engineering
  HFU is involved in 2 research areas:

  • Gender Diversity Impact - Improving Research and Innovation through Gender Diversity

  • Women.Innovation.Technology Network

• Mechanical and Medical Engineering
  Sustainability and mobility are the guiding principles of the whole Faculty.
  An engineering faculty which asks complex questions related to sustainable development, e.g. "Sustainable Solutions for Transport Mobility", "Development of an economically viable Process for regenerative Products"

• Society, Health and Sustainability
  The VALID research project examines "Ethical Aspects of digital Self-Measurement"
  Prof. Dr. Stefan Selke, Faculty of Health, Safety and Society (GSG)

• WING half-marathon: sustainability through movement
  Health and nutrition are 2 important areas of SEED. The popular annual WING half-marathon organized by Prof. Schäflein-Armbruster has been an excellent example of this for many years now.
  Prof. Robert Schäflein-Armbruster, Vice-President Academics, Quality Management and Alumni, and Professor in the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering (WING)

• Annual Health Congress of Schwarzwald Baar Region with Furtwangen University
  Furtwangen University, Schwarzwald Baar Health Network, Friends of Furtwangen University.
  Congress open to the public with scientific contributions from HFU which take business, politics, research and teaching into consideration
  Programme of 2018 Health Congress as example

Further information: HFU as a partner in innovation ecosystem