Berlin has an annual showcase to the Hanseatic city: the annual festival “Hamburg in Berlin” at the Hamburg State Representation in Berlin-Mitte. Since a view towards Hamburg must include science, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) was also represented at this year’s celebration.
At a joint booth with the University of Hamburg (UHH), TUHH presented the city of Hamburg as a strong science location. The appearance was under the motto “Science made in Hamburg,” representing all Hamburg universities. This is also the name of the joint project initiated and coordinated by TUHH, involving all state universities in Hamburg, which publishes impact stories from all participating universities and institutions. By showcasing outstanding scientific work, “Science made in Hamburg” clearly demonstrates the benefits of research for society. Through the logos of all partner institutions, “Science made in Hamburg” brought the concentrated strength of Hamburg’s science to the capital.
The importance of research and science was emphasized by First Mayor Peter Tschentscher in his greeting to around 2,500 guests. At the beginning, Tschentscher quoted the President of TUHH, Prof. Dr. Andreas Timm-Giel: “The President of the University of Technology recently said to me, ‘Everyone talks about problems – we don’t, we solve them.’” Tschentscher expressed that he also wishes this proactive attitude for society.
Intensive exchange for 26 years
The First Mayor not only mentioned TUHH in his speech but also visited the booth – as did the Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank, Science Senator Maryam Blumenthal, and Economic Senator Melanie Leonhard. Like many other guests of the annual festival, they used the opportunity at the booth to exchange ideas with Prof. Timm-Giel, TUHH’s Vice President for Research Prof. Irina Smirnova, and Dr. Ralf Grote, Head of the University Strategy Department.
But it wasn’t just talk in Berlin. Interested visitors could ascend into the bright blue capital sky with a balloon from Hamburg Airport, although “the sky is the limit” did not apply here – the limit was the crane end that lifted the balloon upwards. Later, Prof. Smirnova and Prof. Hauke Heekeren, President of UHH, engaged in a competitive table football match with Science Senator Blumenthal.
At around 50 booths in total, guests were able to gather information and exchange ideas in sunny late summer weather. The annual festival has been held in Berlin for 26 years. “The long tradition of ‘Hamburg in Berlin’ shows how important personal networks are for our city,” says Prof. Andreas Timm-Giel. “Here, science, business, politics, and society engage in dialogue. For TU Hamburg, this is an important venue to bring in our perspectives on major future questions and to initiate new partnerships and joint projects.”
