Jena especially and the Thuringia State in Germany is undoubtedly THE center of competency in optical science and photonics, with a long lasting tradition in optical microscopy, lenses and optical devices manufacturing, microelectronics and, of course, education. With the Royal Family of The Netherlands visiting the three German States of Thuringia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, which form a region called 'Middle Germany' - the heart of reformation, there is currently a lot of attention to this region.
Together with optical science and industry in and around Jena, there is Silicon Saxony located around Dresden as well as a Chemical Cluster, Biosciences and Software excellence in several locations.
What most people, who follow the news of their ongoing visit don't know - the royals are accompanied by quite a crowd of business representatives from the Netherlands, from the clusters in Holland such as Eindhoven, Delft and Enschede.
Before the visit of King Alexander and Queen Maxima to the Leibnitz Institute (IPHT), there had been a full conference day of 'Meet the Dutch' in the Abbe Center of Photonics and Fraunhofer IOF, an event full of speeches, pitch presentations by Dutch and German companies and matchmaking sessions to discuss potential collaborations in business, research projects and potential partnerships.
What I found most important was that both the delegation from The Netherlands as well as the representatives from Thuringia emphasized in their speeches, that today’s challenges for modern civilization can only be addressed together in cooperation, with an open mind and without a hidden or selfish agenda.
All speakers from both countries made it clear that they attended this event to reach out to the other participants in search for collaboration, joint international projects, exchange of ideas, joint activities in student’s education and further business relationship with mutual benefits.
I really enjoyed that day, which reassured me that there is still a lot of support for joint efforts towards a bright future without walls in communication, for free flow of ideas, goods and talents at least within Europe.
Together with optical science and industry in and around Jena, there is Silicon Saxony located around Dresden as well as a Chemical Cluster, Biosciences and Software excellence in several locations.
What most people, who follow the news of their ongoing visit don't know - the royals are accompanied by quite a crowd of business representatives from the Netherlands, from the clusters in Holland such as Eindhoven, Delft and Enschede.
Before the visit of King Alexander and Queen Maxima to the Leibnitz Institute (IPHT), there had been a full conference day of 'Meet the Dutch' in the Abbe Center of Photonics and Fraunhofer IOF, an event full of speeches, pitch presentations by Dutch and German companies and matchmaking sessions to discuss potential collaborations in business, research projects and potential partnerships.
What I found most important was that both the delegation from The Netherlands as well as the representatives from Thuringia emphasized in their speeches, that today’s challenges for modern civilization can only be addressed together in cooperation, with an open mind and without a hidden or selfish agenda.
All speakers from both countries made it clear that they attended this event to reach out to the other participants in search for collaboration, joint international projects, exchange of ideas, joint activities in student’s education and further business relationship with mutual benefits.
I really enjoyed that day, which reassured me that there is still a lot of support for joint efforts towards a bright future without walls in communication, for free flow of ideas, goods and talents at least within Europe.
