Companies, educational institutions, research facilities, administrative units and associations have formed an alliance and launched the "Life and Technology" project.
Strengthening the economy through innovative technologies - rethinking education - making living spaces more attractive: In order to solve these tasks for Upper Lusatia, companies, educational institutions, research facilities, administrative units and associations have formed an alliance and launched the "Life and Technology" project.
They have set themselves the task of strategically developing two fields of technology in the three-country region of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The alliance entered a competition organized by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), was named one of the winners and now has a budget of €6.7 million to implement projects in line with its own strategy.
Modern additive manufacturing technologies (such as 3D printing) are being further developed with companies in the Upper Lusatian region and new products are being placed on the global market - Made in Upper Lusatia.
The energy transition is being rethought - and the core expertise of Lusatia as a research and business location is being expanded. Flexible energy systems, including storage technologies, and alternative energy sources are being researched so that everyone can continue to rely on a stable supply of electricity and heat in the future.
Education is not just a "by-product" for the alliance, but a focus of action. Innovative formats adapted to the challenges of modern life are being designed, tested and established. The focus is on STEM education, which considers and interlinks different educational stages and provides target group-specific offers. From kindergarten to further vocational training.
neo.NET - many competencies under one association umbrella
In order to give this alliance a clear structure, the neo.NET association was founded on September 2 in Zittau's Bürgersaal. This is where expertise is brought together - this association brings together committed citizens from the most diverse areas of life. The technology-oriented network LaNDER of the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences will play a leading role alongside Life and Technology.
What will happen next? We will report on this regularly. At the moment, the administrative matters are being clarified.