In April 2020 Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) was admitted to the network of the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) São Paulo as an associate supporter. With the admission both institutions intend to intensify their relations. For THI, who already maintains intensive relationships with various Brazilian universities and companies through its AWARE Center, Brazil is the most important partner in Latin America. The closer cooperation with DWIH São Paulo allows AWARE to broaden its network to further institutions and to intensify relations with already existing German-Brazilian networks.
The DWIH with offices in the five major international cities New York, São Paulo, Moscow, New Delhi and Tokyo was established at the initiative of the German Federal Foreign Office to increase visibility and awareness for German innovation leaders, to give advice concerning research, science and innovation to key players in Germany and to connect all institutions involved on site. The global coordination of the DWIH network is provided by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Ten years ago, the DWIH São Paulo organized the first delegation trip of Prof. Thomas Brandmeier and Georg Overbeck (both of THI) to Brazil which marked the start of the connection between both institutions. Following that THI’s first German-Brazilian electromobility forum was approved within the framework of the Germany Year in Brazil in 2013. This was an initial funding for the following event series of six years.
To be able to actively take part in DWIH actions and to benefit from various consulting services universities are given the opportunity to become an associate supporter in the DWIH network. This requires an application in which the universities outline their contribution to the network. Convinced of the added value THI brings in via their AWARE Center and the numerous network partners in science and industry in Brazil, THI’s application was approved. DWIH now counts 9 main supporters (with office and personnel on site) and 15 associate supporters, among them the German Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and Industry São Paulo (AHK), the German Embassy Brazil, TU Berlin, TU Darmstadt, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, RWTH Aachen, Max-Planck-Society, Leibniz-Association and the network of seven German universities of applied sciences UAS7.
By joining the DWIH network, AWARE will benefit from numerous opportunities of participating in network and innovation events, grants for workshops and events and, finally, from increased visibility of the ongoing cooperation projects of the AWARE Center in Brazil.