ZF and Zeppelin University strengthen scientific cooperation
Friedrichshafen. Representatives of ZF Friedrichshafen AG and scientists from Zeppelin University (ZU) met for an academic exchange. At this symposium, professors and their research assistants presented the main areas of research that the four new research units sponsored by ZF will focus on.
ZF CEO Dr. Holger Klein also followed the presentations. "Many people are not aware of what a gem we have in Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen," he said beforehand, paying tribute to the university. The current situation offers little scope for funding, which is why ZF has to focus. "But we are continuing to invest in the future," explained Klein, "and ZU stands for the future with its excellent research." He concluded with the wish that both sides would benefit as much as possible from the scientific exchange between the company and ZU.
ZU President Prof. Klaus Mühlhahn welcomed the ZF delegation and thanked them for the trust that ZF places in ZU: "Your presence, Dr. Klein, is a sign of the strength of our partnership." With the three new chairs and the new institute, ZU's already excellent research will be linked to the megatrends of today: digital communication, virtual reality and artificial intelligence - and all of this will be geared towards ecological and economic sustainability.
"The intensive collaboration between ZF and Zeppelin University within the framework of the funded chairs is an outstanding example of successful cooperation between research and business," said Mühlhahn.
Three new chairs and a research center
Prof. Florentina Paraschiv then presented the ZF Center for Sustainability Research, Prof. Florian Muhle the ZF Endowed Chair of Communication Science with a focus on Digital Communication, Prof. Raphael Zender the ZF Endowed Chair of Virtual Reality Systems and Prof. Mateusz Dolata the ZF Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence.
The two existing projects in which ZF and ZU are already working together were also presented: Sebastian Grimm, ZF Head of Innovation Lab, presented the Move+ Accelerator, which aims to promote innovations in mobility and energy use. And Kai Lücke, ZF Head of External Affairs, presented the Bodensee Youth Conference, which took place for the third time in October and where young people - pupils and students - come into contact with political leaders and company bosses.
The four research units donated by ZF in detail:
- ZF Center for Sustainability Research; Head: Prof. Florentina Paraschiv, holder of the Chair of Finance
https://www.zu.de/forschung-themen/forschungszentren/sustainability/
- ZF Endowed Chair of Communication Science with a focus on Digital Communication; holder: Prof. Florian Muhle
https://www.zu.de/lehrstuehle/kommunikationswissenschaft/
- ZF Endowed Chair of Virtual Reality Systems; holder: Prof. Raphael Zender
https://www.zu.de/lehrstuehle/systeme-der-virtuellen-realitaet/
- ZF Endowed Chair for Artificial Intelligence; holder: Prof. Mateusz Dolata
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