Research connects

Sustainability as a bridge between the Faculty of Engineering and the University of Adelaide (Australia)

On September 15, 2025, the Faculty of Engineering warmly welcomed a distinguished delegation from the University of Adelaide. The visit followed a return visit in spring, when representatives from the University of Freiburg – including Rector Prof. Kerstin Krieglstein and Dean Prof. Frank Balle – traveled to Adelaide and laid the foundation for closer collaboration within the framework of the Enhanced Partnership.

The delegation from Adelaide included:

Andrew (Andy) Lowe, Director Environment Institute
Melissa Nursey-Bray, Deputy Director, Institute of Sustainability, Energy and Resources; Theme Lead: Sustainability, Environment and Energy
Associate Prof. Damien Fordham, Deputy Director, Environment Institute and Associate Dean (International – Europe), Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
Susie Raneskold, Global Engagement Manager

Representatives from the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) were:

Frank Balle, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering
Rainer Giersiepen, Faculty Assistant, Faculty of Engineering
Alexander Stolz, Resilience of Technical Systems, INATECH
Ramiz Qussous, Energy Distribution Technologies, INATECH
Oana Cojocaru-Mirédin, Eva Mayr-Stihl Professorship for Multiscale Materials Characterization, INATECH

After a warm welcome, Dean Prof. Frank Balle personally guided the guests on a tour of the campus. The walk and subsequent laboratory visits not only provided insights into the faculty’s research infrastructure but also conveyed its unique academic atmosphere.

The exchange focused on presentations of current projects on sustainable technical systems in the fields of materials, energy systems, and resilience. Discussions also explored potential areas of cooperation – for example with INATECH, in the context of the new Engineering Center for Sustainability (IZN), or within the international master’s program Sustainable Systems Engineering (SSE) – as well as the development of joint future perspectives.

The conversations were marked by openness, curiosity, and a clear mutual interest in deepening collaboration. In particular, the strong thematic overlap in sustainability and environmental research, combined with opportunities for closer integration in teaching, highlight the great potential for pioneering projects and a vibrant, intercontinental scientific exchange.

Special thanks go to the International Office, and in particular to Ms. Kathrin Jehle, whose dedication in organizing this delegation visit made the fruitful exchange possible.

Contact:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Frank Balle
University of Freiburg
Faculty of Engineering, Dean
Georges-Köhler-Allee 101
Phone.: 0761/203-8080
E-Mail: dekan-tf@uni-freiburg.de

Kerstin Steiger-Merx
Representative Marketing & PR
Faculty of Engineering
University of Freiburg
Tel.: 0761/203-8056
E-Mail: steiger-merx@tf.uni-freiburg.de