On the initiative of the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts Baden-Wurttemberg (MWK), the working group members combined the Incoming Mission to the Länd from 25th to 27th October with a visit to Heilbronn University of Applied Sciences. The aim was to learn about the project “Artificial Intelligence Training and Qualification Campus” (AI TRAQC) and to get into exchange on the possibilities of research funding within the framework of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Raoul Zöllner, Vice-Rector for Research, Transfer and Innovation, and Dr. Henning Groscurth, project manager of “AI TRAQC”, welcomed the visitors on the campus of Heilbronn University in the afternoon of October 26th. Next to representatives of the regional administrations of Baden-Wurttemberg, Catalonia and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a number of high-level representatives of regional innovation clusters accompanied the working group.
In line with the overarching theme “Artificial Intelligence in industrial application”, the University of Heilbronn introduced the working group to current AI prototype projects as well as to AI TRAQC – one of four awarded “lighthouse projects” of the regional competition RegioWIN2030 that successfully applied for co-funding by MWK in the framework of the ERDF. With AI TRACQ, the University of Heilbronn takes the lead in establishing an innovation centre for transformation and qualification in the field of artificial intelligence that is oriented towards the needs of regional SMEs. Associated project partners include the Baden-Wurttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), Technical University Munich - Campus Heilbronn, and Fraunhofer Society.
The project presentation was followed by a joint presentation by the Ministry of Science and the ERDF Managing Authority on current ERDF funding activities in the field of research and innovation in Baden-Wurttemberg. The aim of the presentation was to get into exchange about funding possibilities and best practices within the ERDF and to highlight the potential for synergies and cooperation between the regions of the Four Motors of Europe in the framework of future ERDF programmes.
