German Chancellor Olaf Scholz got a real sense of the innovative power of science in the ZESS research building and the Makerspace at Ruhr University Bochum.

This is how transformation works in the Ruhr region: Regional Director Garrelt Duin, Bochum's Lord Mayor Thomas Eiskirch and Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, presented Chancellor Olaf Scholz with the development and settlement successes in the MARK 51°7 innovation quarter in Bochum. A few years after the closure of the car factory, numerous modern, technology-oriented companies as well as start-ups and research institutions have settled on the former Opel site.

His visit to the Ruhr region on August 26, 2024 also included a tour of two facilities at Ruhr University Bochum. Stops on Mark 51°7 was the research building ZESS (Research Centre for the Engineering of Smart Product Service Systems) and the Makerspace of the Worldfactory Start-up Center (WSC) in the O-Werk; in addition, the Volkswagen Infotainment development center was also on the agenda.

Innovating together for social change
“The Mark 51°7 industry, technology and knowledge campus shows how economic, ecological and social change can be successfully achieved through an integrated concept. The innovative strength of the local research institutions and companies brings real added value for Bochum and the entire Ruhr region,” comments Olaf Scholz.

“We were afforded the great opportunity to show Chancellor Olaf Scholz how cooperation between universities, industry and the cities of the Ruhr metropolis enables innovation and creates attractive new jobs,” points out a delighted Rector Professor Martin Paul. “The contribution Ruhr University Bochum makes to this process was amply demonstrated in our ZESS research building with its focus on innovative production systems and in discussions with start-up entrepreneurs at our WSC start-up center. This is how regional transformation works, which is rooted in outstanding teamwork in the Ruhr region – most importantly, in the University Alliance Ruhr.”

Knowledge creates business
Thomas Eiskirch, Lord Mayor of the City of Bochum, comments on the development of the site: “Knowledge is Bochum's No. 1 resource and knowledge is the future of the region. This can also be seen at MARK 51°7. Modern, technology-oriented companies will find space on the almost 70-hectare site, as will institutes and research facilities that seek close contact with industry. This is how knowledge creates business. The companies located here are already strengthening Bochum's reputation as a first-class address for IT security and automotive. The industry mix at MARK 51°7 is diverse, future-oriented and sustainably increases the economic strength of the region. A broad spectrum of employment and work is created here: from manufacturing, logistics and services to cutting-edge research. From start-ups to large companies. The development of Mark 51°7 is a story of courage, confidence and an idea of how the future can be successfully shaped. At the same time, it is also a story of strategic planning and consistent implementation.”

At the end of his visit to MARK 51°7, Chancellor Scholz discussed transformation and its framework conditions with experts from business, science and politics in the O-Werk. The Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Barbara Albert, and Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University, were also invited. Ruhr University Bochum is cooperating with the other two universities in the Ruhr region within the University Alliance Ruhr in order to pool their complementary strengths and conduct joint research on the major challenges of our time.