The first Max Syrbe Symposium on March 28, 2012 was dedicated to effective knowledge and research management – one of the key prerequisites for successful knowledge and technology transfer, which is exactly what Steinbeis is renowned for. Representatives from universities, colleges, research institutes, transfer centers and businesses explored this topic from a variety of angles. A further aim of the symposium, which is named in honor of Professor Dr. rer. nat., Dr.-Ing. E. h. Max Syrbe (1929-2011), was to grow and strengthen networks and help multiply ability and motivation...

“A person’s performance is proportional to their ability multiplied by their motivation.” This is something that Max Syrbe, former president of the Fraunhofer Society, and chairman of the Steinbeis Foundation board of trustees for many years until his death, believed passionately. As a scientist and researcher, he also believed that scientific achievements are important not just for their own sake, but for their potential real-world applications. In defense of taking academic liberties, especially in research, Syrbe did not see the development of knowledge and research as contradictory goals: a combination of both is needed. Knowledge establishes solid foundations for research, and research forms the basis for new applications. These applications can then, in turn, be used to establish new foundations.

The Max Syrbe Symposium 2014 will take part on 26 March 2014.

Video documentation