On November 21, building owner Patrick Schwarz-Schütte officially handed over the extension of the oeconomicum to Heinrich Heine University. NRW Science Minister Isabel Pfeiffer-Poensgen attended the ceremony. The expansion was necessary due to the strong growth of the faculty with over 2,300 students and new endowed professorships in behavioral economics. The faculty is aiming for a leading position in competition research in Europe. Düsseldorf is thus establishing itself as a top location for business administration and economics.

Wissensregion Düsseldorf, one of the most international regions in Germany, offers excellent conditions for students, researchers and skilled workers from all over the world. The Expat Service Desk, which supports companies and research institutions in integrating international employees, won the “Innovative Business Development 2019” award. Over 2,500 consultations and numerous events are proof of its success. In future, the knowledge region intends to further network its internationalization strategies and launch a joint campaign for international students and skilled workers.

2019 was a successful year for Wissensregion Düsseldorf, crowned by numerous events and the Night of Science. With the motto “We can learn the most from people who think differently”, the innovation semester advertised and ended with a successful closing event. The Expat Service Desk received the “Innovative Business Development 2019” award. Further projects such as the Innovation Semester and a stronger internationalization strategy are planned for 2020 in order to promote Düsseldorf as a location for international students and skilled workers.

The German Diabetes Center (DDZ) has opened the Competence Center for Innovative Diabetes Therapy (KomIT) with eight partners. With 3.5 million euros in funding, the excellent basic research is being expanded to include an application-oriented infrastructure. The aim is to rapidly translate innovative research findings into clinical applications to improve diabetes management. KomIT combines expertise from various fields and thus promotes the development of new therapies. The center strengthens the pharmaceutical and biotech sector in NRW and provides a platform for cooperation in Germany and Europe.

Prof. Dr. Edeltraud Vomberg has been President of Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences since June 1, 2019. In an interview with Dr. Christina Rauh, she explains her visions for the university and her plans to promote transdisciplinarity, digitalization and lifelong learning. Vomberg emphasizes the importance of cooperation within the Wissensregion Düsseldorf and calls on young people to take every opportunity for new, challenging experiences. Her motto: “You can learn the most from things and people that are different.”

The five universities of the Wissensregion Düsseldorf e.V. achieved second place for the most innovative university project in the nationwide 24h SMS voting of the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft. With their commitment, the universities are positioning themselves as promoters of innovative ideas. The Innovation Semester, in which students and trainees work together on social and entrepreneurial challenges, was particularly well received. In October 2019, the Innovation Semester will enter its second round with even more projects and participants. Project proposals can be submitted to kontakt@wissensregion-duesseldorf.de.

On November 17, representatives from science, business, politics and culture signed the founding resolution of the Association for the Promotion of Wissensregion Düsseldorf e.V. at the University House. The aim of the association is permanent networking and cooperation on knowledge topics in order to strengthen Düsseldorf as a location for education. Prof. Dr. Anja Steinbeck was elected chairperson, Brigitte Grass as her deputy. The association is planning innovative projects such as the “Innovation Semester” to attract the best talent to the region and promote cooperation between dual and academic education.

Gregor Berghausen, Managing Director of IHK Düsseldorf, emphasizes the importance of Wissensregion Düsseldorf in an interview. He explains that close cooperation between urban society, business and universities is crucial in order to create synergies. He believes that tangible projects and increased cooperation between companies and universities are important in order to raise the region’s profile in the competition for skilled workers and innovations. The next steps include the implementation of lighthouse projects and the establishment of an association to promote the knowledge region.

Düsseldorf, the district of Mettmann and the Rhine district of Neuss form a knowledge-rich region with numerous universities, institutions and companies. These are already cooperating successfully in various projects. In order to maintain and further expand their economic strength, the cities and districts are focusing on more intensive cooperation between science and business. The aim is to promote the region as an attractive location for talent and knowledge-based companies. The kick-off conference on February 13, 2017 is intended to develop ideas for more in-depth cooperation.