Prof Dr Peter Ritzenhoff is one of the ‘100 decisive minds of the science scene’

Research.Table honours commitment to knowledge transfer

The editors of Research.Table have selected Bremerhaven university professor Dr Peter Ritzenhoff as one of the most decisive personalities in science. The award recognises his commitment to knowledge transfer, especially in the exchange with SMEs. ‘I feel very honoured and thank Research.Table for including me in this honourable circle,’ said the former Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the university.

Peter Ritzenhoff teaches on the Bachelor's degree programme in Engineering at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences in the field of building and energy technology. As Managing Director of the Hochschulallianz für den Mittelstand (HAfM), he is also committed to knowledge transfer and the promotion of innovation in regional SMEs and has supported the idea of the German Agency for Transfer and Innovation (DATI) from the outset, which aims to ensure that research results are quickly applied in industry through knowledge and technology transfer. ‘Knowledge transfer and the promotion of innovation in regional SMEs are the central elements of my and our work in the University Alliance for SMEs. This includes better funding conditions through the German Agency for Transfer and Innovation, which is yet to be founded. We are working closely with all universities of applied sciences in Germany to promote the DATI,’ says the professor and continues: ’Especially in the phase in which the political implementation of the DATI is stalling, such an award has a signalling effect.’

Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences has been a member of the University Alliance for SMEs since it was founded in 2015. The activities of the alliance are based on the three pillars of networking between the 16 participating universities, promoting regional cooperation relationships and influencing political developments. The latter activities also include campaigning for better funding conditions for transfer activities via DATI. ‘During the HAfM's annual Berlin Transfer Conferences, we regularly discuss these topics with members of the Bundestag from the scientific and other political sectors and, of course, the business community,’ explains Ritzenhoff.