University of Bayreuth, Press Release No 057/2024 - 15 May, 2024

Science and business successful on the international stage

Concentrated know-how on international entrepreneurial activities: The University of Bayreuth, the Upper Franconia district group of the vbw - Bavarian Industry Association and Hof University of Applied Sciences are once again inviting people to “Science Creates Business” on June 26, 2024. The focus will be on activities in China, India and Africa and the contribution of science to the international success of companies. Among others, Christoph Kannengießer, Managing Director of the Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e. V., will give a report, while Elisabeth Staudinger-Leibrecht, Member of the Management Board of Siemens Healthineers AG, will deliver the keynote speech.

“Our ‘Science Creates Business’ event initiates a dialog on topics that are of great importance to business,” says Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth, “which is why we have been successfully networking our researchers with Upper Franconian companies and their managers for years.” His colleague Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences, adds: “We want to strengthen the effects that science can and must have on society. Direct exchange is the best way to assess the opportunities and risks of business decisions or to initiate new collaborations.” This year, the conference will focus on international business relationships for SMEs. “International business requires challenging strategic considerations, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises,” says Patrick Püttner, Managing Director of the vbw District Group Upper Franconia, “which is why we want to show how researchers can support companies in this.”

This year's event will focus on economic relations with China, India and African countries. What opportunities and risks do these sales markets offer specifically for Upper Franconian companies and their products? These and other questions will be discussed by experts from the University of Bayreuth and Hof University of Applied Sciences with company representatives.

2024, Elisabeth Staudinger-Leibrecht, Member of the Management Board of Siemens Healthineers AG, has been invited to give a keynote speech. Prof. Dr. Reinhard Meckl, Chair of International Management at the University of Bayreuth, and Dr. Roman Pausch, CEO of Rausch & Pausch SE Selb, will then report on their experiences in China in a discussion entitled: “PR China: Promised land or minefield for Franconian companies?” Prof. Dr. Alexander Stroh-Steckelberg, Chair of African Politics and Development Policy at the University of Bayreuth, talks to Christoph Kannengießer, Managing Director of the German-African Business Association, about the special features of the continent and explains “Diversity beyond clichés: market opportunities in African countries”. Prof. Dr. Heike Markus, Research Group Leader Supply Chain Digitization (SCD) at iisys - Institute for Information Systems at Hof University of Applied Sciences, will speak with Wiebke Dörfler, Managing Director of the Bavarian-Indian Centre for Business and Universities (BayIND), about “Cooperation for Innovation: Exploiting the potential of digital developments in India”.

The event will take place in person, with ample opportunity for questions to the speakers. The event will also be streamed online.

Registration: https://www.vbw-bayern.de/vbw/Termine/Wissen-schafft-Wirtschaft-22.jsp

“Science Creates Business” program on 26 June 2024 at Thurnau Castle (coach house), Marktplatz 1, 95349 Thurnau

12:00 Arrival of the guests, joint snack and getting to know each other

13:00 Welcome by Patrick Püttner, Managing Director vbw District Group Upper Franconia, Coburg / Prof. Dr. Stefan Leible, President of the University of Bayreuth / Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences

13:20 Introduction to the topic “Upper Franconian SMEs internationally successful - together with universities and colleges” - Anja-Maria Meister, Press Officer, University of Bayreuth

13:30 Keynote speech by Elisabeth Staudinger-Leibrecht, Member of the Executive Board of Siemens Healthineers AG Forchheim.

14:15 Examples from practice

“PR China: Promised land or minefield for Franconian companies?”

14:45 Coffee break

15:30 Further examples from practice

“Diversity beyond clichés: market opportunities in African countries”

“Cooperation for innovation: utilizing the potential of digital developments in India”

16:30 Summary and questions from the audience

17:00 End of the event

Science and business successful on the international stage

Anja-Maria MeisterPR Spokesperson University of Bayreuth

Anja-Maria Meister
PR Spokesperson University of Bayreuth