“Hochschulperlen are innovative, exemplary projects carried out at a university,” says the Stifterverband, a registered association that has been promoting education and science for more than 100 years with the aim of strengthening society’s capacity for innovation. Around 3,500 companies, foundations and individual members are part of the Stifterverband’s network. The Stifterverband has now named the FabLab – run by Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the zdi Centre in Kamp-Lintfort – as the ‘University Pearl’ for February 2025. The theme for the ‘University Gem of the Month’ for February was ‘Conducting research with businesses – shaping innovation’.
Since it opened in 2015, the FabLab Kamp-Lintfort has provided a unique platform for digital manufacturing technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration. The jury particularly praised the combination of a high-tech workshop and a diverse range of further training courses aimed at students, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, the interested public and research institutions. “Digital manufacturing technologies such as 3D printers are regarded as key technologies of the next industrial revolution. However, there is a shortage of skilled workers who can operate such machines. To address this, the FabLab Kamp-Lintfort at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences offers training opportunities for universities, schools, businesses and the interested public. ‘For this combination of a public workshop alongside a wide range of training courses in the use of modern machinery, the Stifterverband is awarding the “University Pearl of the Month” for February,’ the network explained in its decision.
“We are delighted to receive this recognition. Our aim is to bridge the gap between science, industry and society and to make new technologies accessible to a broad audience,” says Prof. Dr Karsten Nebe, Director of FabLab Kamp-Lintfort.
The FabLab offers access to state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC milling, as well as to electronics development and other digital technologies such as embedded programming – the programming of small computers that perform specific tasks within a larger system. For almost ten years, the FabLab has been supporting students in realising their own projects, start-ups in developing prototypes, and companies in addressing research questions. In addition, innovative methods for digital fabrication are developed here and integrated into research and teaching.
The programme is complemented by international training programmes such as the ‘Fab Academy’ and the ‘Fab Learning Academy’. The latter will be held for the first time anywhere in the world in 2025 and is aimed at teachers who wish to incorporate digital manufacturing into their teaching. The FabLab Kamp-Lintfort is one of only eleven FabLabs worldwide participating in this programme as pioneers.
The FabLab is not only a centre of innovation but also an inspiring learning environment for school pupils. For example, they can make their own stamps and print on jute bags. “Through our School FabLab network, young people gain early access to digital manufacturing technologies and can bring their creative ideas to life,” says Dr Martin Kreymann, FabLab Manager.
With the ‘University Gem of the Month’ award, the Stifterverband honours outstanding university projects every month whose innovative strength is exemplary and which have the potential to strengthen society. By winning this award, the FabLab Kamp-Lintfort automatically enters the running for the ‘University Gem of the Year 2025’ award.
Further information is available at: fablab.hochschule-rhein-waal.de
