Press releases in detail

Nov 3, 2008

Research gives you a competitive edge: INI.KU with the partners AUDI AG, Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt and the City of Ingolstadt has already launched their cooperative activities in June 2008. The official opening ceremony takes place today at the SE Center Ingolstadt. INI.KU is the fifth academic science partnership launched by Audi at its Ingolstadt location to date. It supports research projects in the humanities, social and economic sciences.

“The humanities and social and economic sciences provide aptitudes and competencies that are very important for the industry. They create a win-win situation for all participants,” says Dr. Werner Widuckel, Member of the Board of Management for Personnel Management and Director of Personnel of AUDI AG, about the festive occasion and the official signing of the agreement. He noted that the company will benefit from access to academic knowledge, the university will gain insights into current developments and the students will be able to establish contacts with a potential future employer. “Our numerous research projects help us develop and recruit new talent. They are a success story that we’ll continue to pursue and expand,” Widuckel asserts. About 100 such projects have been launched to date by Audi, some of which have already been completed.

Dr. Gregor Maria Hanke, Bishop of the Eichstätt Diocese and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University of Eichstätt Foundation, welcomes the new partnership: “Close ties with the industry are important to us. And a technology-oriented company such as AUDI AG needs qualified experts in the humanities and the social and economic sciences."

Sepp Misslbeck, Mayor of the City of Ingolstadt, and Professor Rudolf Fisch, Chairman of the Executive Board of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, both emphasize the importance of research partnerships for the region, because they enhance its appeal and increase the competencies available at the location. Also this approach is entirely in accord with the initiative “Regionalmanagement Region Ingolstadt e.V.”, which is supported by the city, rural districts and local companies.

Professor Fisch explains: “Through our partnership with AUDI AG our students have the opportunity of implementing their research projects in a real-world setting.” As a result, knowledge transfer is accelerated and favorable conditions are created for innovation projects. Doctoral candidates get an additional benefit: They are supported both by the faculty and by a professional department of AUDI AG.

“Research partnerships enhance the city’s appeal. Not only do they attract students fascinated by research but also ensure the region’s future as a desirable industrial location,” says Mayor Misslbeck.

After the speeches, a presentation by Professor André Habisch of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt highlights the social responsibility of companies. In addition, the doctoral candidates of INI.KU present their projects: Kathrin Maier addresses “Multimodal Warning Strategies” with the objective of developing a highly intuitive indication and warning concept for driver assistance systems. Doctoral candidate Maria Miller is conducting a study for Audi’s employee health function on the subject “Health Perceptions and Health-Related Actions” – how people think about health and how that affects their personal healthcare decisions.

During the kickoff event, Dr. Carsten Röh, who works in Procurement Strategy within Audi Purchasing, announces three additional research projects: “Demand and Capacity Management”, “Process Optimization Related to Demand and Capacity Management” and “Raw Materials-Related and Exchange Rate Risks in the International Context”.

The doctoral candidates appreciate working at a location that is close to both the Audi plant and the university. The constant change between science and business creates interfaces on a day-to-day basis that ensure the success of their doctoral theses.