Boosting German-Israeli Science Cooperation: Federal Minister Stark-Watzinger visits Israel

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Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger undertook an innovation trip to Israel from 17 to 19 July 2023 on n the occasion of the ‘Helmholtz Innovation Summit’. The aim of the trip was to strengthen German-Israeli cooperation in the areas of research and innovation.

Israel: Value Partner in the Middle East

Israel is exquisitely positioned in the area of research and innovation, emphasises Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger: “For Germany, Israel is the value partner in the Middle East, this also applies to the research and innovation cooperation. Research and innovation are highly valued in Israel: they are excellent and globally competitive. Israel has exceptional research infrastructures. It is a world leader in terms of investment in research and innovation and also has an outstanding start-up and innovation ecosystem. Thus, research and innovation represent one of the many success stories in Israel’s 75 year history.”

Germany and Israel – despite all their differences – face similar challenges, affirms Minister Stark-Watzinger. In both countries there is a shortage of qualified specialists, especially in the high-tech sector. Exchange helps to develop better and more effective concepts for the recruitment of skilled staff.

50 Years of Successful Scientific Cooperation

Wether in cancer research, laser research, water technologies or in the humanities and social sciences: Since 1973 – for 50 years now, Germany and Israel have shared a strong Science and Technology Cooperation (STC). Against this background, Federal Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger met her Israeli counterpart Ofir Akunis for talks and visited Tel Aviv University and the Weizmann Institute. She also visited Yad Vashem.

The 50th anniversary of the STC will also be commemorated with a festive event in Berlin on 24 October 2023, and the 50th anniversary of the Minerva Fellowship Programme will be celebrated in Israel on 28 November 2023.

Source: BMBF