The University of Twente (UT) and Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ) signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalising and expanding their long-standing collaboration. This important step occurred during a special Jülich event involving the Jülich Board of Governors, Jennifer Herek from UT's Faculty of Applied Sciences (TNW), and Hans Hilgenkamp from Mesa+.
The University of Twente and FZJ have worked together since at least 1992. This always happened on an informal and bilateral basis between individual researchers. With the signing of this MoU, both parties formalise the cooperation. There will be a focus on strategic topics within, among others, education and research. In addition, the partners want to broaden their focus to exploit new opportunities.
Part of the new MoU is the creation of broader visibility and partnership. Both partners want to start exchanging students and staff, for instance, by opening graduate schools for each other's students. The MoU also promotes wider collaboration and facilitates the launch of new initiatives, with a strong focus on the core topics of quantum and brain-inspired information technology, energy and hydrogen, materials science and nanotechnology/nano characterisation.
The partners signed the MoU at a specially orchestrated event in Jülich. That event included inspiring lab tours. The focus was on the joint core topics of the cooperation. As an important next step in this strengthened cooperation, the partners will organise a summit in Jülich next year to discuss progress and make further strategic plans.
