Karlsruhe: Creating a new research powerhouse

Photo Gabi Zachmann. Image courtesy KIT.

The move will benefit academics on both sides, says Elizabeth Zuber-Knost, spokeswoman for the KIT. Professors at the university will have access to sophisticated and expensive testing equipment held at the research centre, for example, while academics of the former research centre get improved access to students and scientists from the university.  And both will benefit from the improved reputation and profile of the KIT.

The merger has not happened overnight. For one, the new entity had to be legally approved by federal and state lawmakers. For three years, the two entities have also been working to combine their organizations and structures.  No detail has been left out--there is even a shuttle bus between what are now called the North and South campuses.

It’s not clear whether other institutions in Germany will copy the KIT’s example, though. The entities were particularly good candidates for a merger, says Zuber-Knost, because both have a similar focus on the natural sciences and technology, with strong points being energy research centre and nanosciences. And both are located relatively close to one another.