Argentinean Alumni, KIT professors and local experts met in Buenos Aires at the facilities of the Universidad Tecnológica Nacional (UTN) this September for a 4-day seminar to discuss the latest topics related to circular economy, industrial sustainability and de-centralized energy supply. The seminar was organized in collaboration between the KIT Alumniclub Argentina and the International Affairs Unit (INTL) and was funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
The goal of this seminar was to connect Argentinean Alumni to KIT staff and local experts, and discuss recent developments in science and industry. In this endeavor, the scientific contributions of the KIT experts, Prof. Frank Schultmann, Prof. Andreas Braun and Prof. Christof Weinhardt were key, holding talks about their respective areas of expertise and conducting most of the seminar activities, including three scientific workshops.
The seminar was kicked off with a welcome cocktail which was kindly hosted by the German Embassy in Buenos Aires. This was a great opportunity for alumni and KIT staff to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. The next day, the scientific activities of the seminar officially began after a few welcoming remarks by the Dean of the UTN, Prof. Guillermo Oliveto, Mr. Matthias Trager from the German Embassy, Judith Lehmann, the Director of the DAAD Buenos Aires, and Carla Allende, President of the KIT Alumniclub Argentina.
Besides the talks by the KIT Experts and UTN professors, local representatives from government institutions and NGOs shared their experiences and gave insights into their work. As the scientific exchange between all parties was at the center of the seminar, the alumni had the opportunity to present their own projects in a series of thematic open sessions and specialized workshops.
On the last day, Prof. Braun conducted a scientific excursion to the neighborhood of Puerto Madero and the river Matanza-Riachuelo, where he showed the alumni a project for the cleaning, purification and preservation of the river, which is part of the ecological reserve Costanera Sur.
In addition to the scientific program, various cultural and social activities, such as a night out in a tango restaurant at the harbor of the city, provided a chance for networking and further discussions. This helped strengthen the links established during the seminar, enlarging the scientific network of the KIT. It is important to highlight the interest and motivation shown by all participants, from the Professors, to the alumni and organizational team, who all made sure that the seminar was an enriching and unforgettable experience.