Integrated interdisciplinary university: technology,materials, society

Abstract

RWTH Aachen University has a long history as a researchorganisation and as an institution of education. It is known as aprogressive, modern and forward-looking institution among students,industrial partners and citizens. RWTH Aachen Universityrecognises its responsibility towards society, it has establishedand demonstrated flexibility and adaptability over the years andit is determined to improve its international visibility.
Within the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and stategovernments, RWTH Aachen University has been awardedfunding for its future concept. This allows a greater concentrationon the clear stated goals and principles of the university,one of which is to train a highly-qualified and responsible newgeneration of academics for the benefit of business and society,research and teaching. RWTH Aachen University has developeda strategic plan which is reflected in the Institutional Strategyand leads to a super ordinate goal: In contrast to a university primarilycharacterised by the coexistence of individual strengths,especially in engineering, RWTH is developing into an integratedinterdisciplinary university of technology that is able to meetglobal challenges.
Six interdisciplinary forums at RWTH (e.g. Forum MaterialsScience, Forum Technology and Society) are engaged toprovide a better integration and cooperation among all scientificareas. Working groups within the forums and the differentdepartments at the university collaborate in order to make afaster progress in cross-cutting research fields. Interdisciplinarypathfinder project proposals were submitted and doctoral theses,e.g. “Development of materials and technologies in the mirror ofliterature” and “Material design against the background of technologyand society”, are begun at our Department of FerrousMetallurgy, Chair for Metallurgy of Iron and Steel. In cooperationbetween different departments of Material Sciences andthe Humanities we have set up a project relating to “Materials,symbolic meanings of materials and identity construction”. Thespeakers of the Forums support the dialog between academicworld, industry, society and politics.
The best researchers are supposed to contribute and collaborate.That is why the social surroundings and environment should beappropriately arranged. Modifications in organization and structureat RWTH Aachen University have been made. With its largenumber of projects for integration and support for newly-appointedresearchers and their families, Dual Career Programme,Parent Service Office, efforts to internationalise all the facultiesand to inspire young people to be the future generation of engineers,scientists and leaders in industry and society, demonstratesthe strong will to learn and teach.
RWTH Aachen University is looking ahead with a great optimismthat it will succeed in Meeting Global Challenges in the next 10years and that it will bring valuable information, research anddevelopment to the SOVAMAT Initiative.