Entrepreneurs gather information in the innovative mobile laboratory

Well informed for the future

Digitalisation, artificial intelligence, university cooperation: Entrepreneurs and companies from Beckum have explored forward-looking topics in the Lab on tour truck.

27 September 2024
Group picture in the mobile lab
  • Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich (6th from right) welcomes the participants of the "Digitalise_SWF" project and the lecturers in the mobile laboratory in the schoolyard of the vocational college.

This week, entrepreneurs were invited to the mobile laboratory of Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences and South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences to find out more about the topics of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and university cooperation and to exchange ideas with representatives of the two universities. In the innovative truck of the "Digitalise_SWF" project, research results and projects of the virtual institutes of the participating universities were brought to life and made tangible.

Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich paid a visit to the pioneering laboratory and welcomed the representatives of the Beckum-based companies. Benno Weißner and Sabrina Wodrich, two proven experts from the Centre for Innovation and Technology in NRW, gave a talk on the subject of sustainability. Prof Christian Gawron from the South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences then gave an exciting keynote speech on artificial intelligence. In addition to knowledge transfer, networking among the participants and speakers also played a key role.

The quarterly after-work meeting of young entrepreneurs also took place in the Lab on tour truck this time. Uwe Denkert, Head of Urban Development for the City of Beckum, welcomed the guests before Blanka Duhme, the mobile truck's project coordinator, introduced the seven different virtual institutes and the lab. Anja Richter, Managing Director of the Centre for Research Management at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, then provided information on the many opportunities for corporate cooperation with the two universities, ranging from research collaborations and joint training programmes to sponsorship and mentorships. Vanessa Hermann, Head of Practical Orientation and Talent Development, concluded by explaining the range and advantages of the dual study programme.

The organisers from the city's business development department and the two universities were very satisfied with the results of the two events, as initial talks for business cooperation have already been initiated.