Kick-off for a strong Competence Network

In early August, the starting signal was given for the Expertise & Transfer Network on China & Europe project, abbreviated as ENTRANCE. Approximately 50 guests from North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as from Hesse, Hamburg, Bavaria, and Brandenburg, gathered for this occasion at the SuperC of RWTH Aachen University. Following greetings from Prof. Ute Habel, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at RWTH Aachen University, and Dr. Norbert Drewes, Head of Business Development at the Jülich Research Center, the audience awaited three keynote speeches.

Notably, the keynote speeches stimulated discussions among the audience. It became evident that universities and institutions in Germany and Europe will benefit from this network. RWTH Aachen University and the Jülich Research Center, which initiated and coordinate the project under the umbrella of the Jülich Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), serve as pioneers for future competence building and collaboration with Chinese partners.

Project coordinator René Seyfarth explained the core of the project: "China's role in the world has undergone significant changes in recent years. Against the backdrop of this reassessment of China and the altered legal, societal, and social conditions, it is important to engage with the realities of cooperation and partnerships in the academic environment. Understanding the geopolitical, societal, and economic developments assists in assessing risks and opportunities. This is where ENTRANCE comes in."

"The goal is to minimize risks on both sides and enable collaborations," elucidated Dr. Hyunji Park, project coordinator for the Jülich Research Center. "Through networking, exchange, and workshops on topics such as legal competence, networking, and transfer, significant impulses will be provided to advance collaborations with Chinese partners even more securely."

In the afternoon, the first workshop on the project's central themes took place. Attendees worked in groups on topics including legal competence, networking & exchange, and transfer and synergy.

The next regional meeting of the ENTRANCE project is scheduled for January 9th or 10th, 2024. The event will also take place at the SuperC of RWTH Aachen University.

For more information about the project, visit: https://www.jara.org/de/entrance