Life sciences as a growth driver
As a dynamic growth sector which has already created more than 60,000 jobs in Hannover Region, the field of life sciences holds a very special position which is also attributable to internationally renowned institutions such as Hannover Medical School (MHH), the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) and the International Neuroscience Institute (INI). Klinikum Region Hannover is responsible for the management of twelve hospitals, making it one of the largest municipally owned hospital groups in Germany. One of the highlights in this sector is the BIOTECHNICA, the leading European life sciences fair which is held in Hannover every two years. In recognition of these excellent conditions, May 2013 saw Hannover host the 116th German Medical Assembly, the most important conference for the German medical profession.
With its wide range of laboratory and office premises combined with first-class infrastructure at Hannover Medical Park, the city has ideal conditions to offer both established companies and innovative start-ups in the life sciences sector which are planning to set up business in this region. For instance, it is already home to the Fraunhofer Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine and IPF PharmaCeuticals, a drug research company. The most recent major investments include Boehringer Ingelheim's European Research Institute for Animal Vaccines and NZ-BMT, Niedersachsen Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Implant Research.
Hannover continues to invest in its health facilities
Moreover, Hannover continues to invest in its health facilities. This is evident amongst other things from three new buildings in the medical sector. On an area of 6,000 square metres, Hannover Clinical Research Center (CRC) is a base for clinical studies, patient-driven research, epidemiological studies and for Hannover Medical School's central biobank. No fewer than 13 working groups collaborate at the Centre of Biomolecular Drug Research (BMWZ). They come from the life sciences, chemistry and medicine and develop active ingredients and natural substances to make them more readily accessible for medical applications. Siloah-Oststadt-Heidehaus is one of the most modern hospitals in Lower Saxony and opened in September 2014 after a building period of four years.
Cluster of excellence for research and teaching
The tertiary education institutes in Hannover - which include four universities, one university of applied sciences and arts, as well as various high-ranking private academies - offer degree courses in virtually every conceivable subject and are well-known for their excellent academic quality. Thanks to the forward-looking and practical focus of many courses, numerous graduates from Hannover's universities also begin their career right here. The state capital has around 40,000 students, including 6,000 from abroad. With approx. 22,000 students and around 160 full- and part-time courses provided by ten faculties, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University in Hannover is the largest tertiary education institute in Lower Saxony.
Leadership in medicine
Hannover Medical School has carried out pioneering work in the field of transplantation and has a worldwide reputation for excellence. With more than 2,800 students, it is also the largest medical training centre in Germany. Especially in the biotechnology sector, it cooperates closely with companies in the nearby Medical Park. This is also where the striking building of the International Neuroscience Institute (INI) is located.
Hannover University of Veterinary Medicine, which has more than 2,400 students and dates back to the year 1778, is also a leading international institute.
Ideas to inspire young talent
This event is the only one of its kind in Germany and has been held at Hannover exhibition centre every two years since 2007: the IdeenExpo (Expo of Ideas), an interactive, hands-on fair that deals with all aspects of choosing a career. In 2015, it will encourage youngsters to take a look at the science and research sector again from 4 to 12 July. Thanks to the wide range of participants, exhibits and shows, the "world's largest classroom" offers a unique mixture: the IdeenExpo provides an ideal forum for schoolchildren and students to meet business enterprises, scientific institutions and numerous other organisations. More than 200 exhibitors, hundreds of gripping interactive exhibits, around 600 workshops, the "College Camp", "Kids' University" and an entertaining programme on stage whet their appetite for science and technology. One of the presenters of these shows is celebrity TV scientist Ranga Yogeshwar.
Calling all tinkerers: the Maker Faire
On 6 and 7 June, the third Maker Faire Hannover at Hannover Congress Centrum (HCC) will call on all members of the family to take an inventive and fun look at technology. Countless Makers, DIY enthusiasts, tinkerers, hackers and artists will present their works, inventions and experiments at the Maker Faire, which covers the full spectrum of science, technology, art, performance and handicrafts. Interesting interactive stations, an absorbing lecture programme, workshops and fascinating experiments round off the programme.
In 2015, Olaf Lies, Lower Saxony's Minister of Economics, will be patron of the event for the first time.
Advertising campaign on board Deutsche Bahn ICE trains
To draw attention to Hannover as a strong science location and its flourishing health care industry, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG) launched a one-year advertising campaign on board Deutsche Bahn trains in November, featuring around 2000 adverts on around 70 ICE high-speed trains. This campaign will be seen by up to 23 million passengers per annum.
For further information and photos for use by journalists, visit
http://www.visit-hannover.com/....