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Feature Topic: Early Birds – Young and Inspiring Ideas

Insights from Steinbeis experts

The future belongs to young people, we all know that. The Steinbeis experts from the articles that make up this edition’s feature topic also unanimously agree that we can expect plenty of new and interesting things in the future. They also know how amazing the ideas of the next generation are and how to support young people with their ideas. Professor Dr. Nils Högsdal, vice-chancellor of innovation and a professor of corporate finance and entrepreneurship at Stuttgart Media University, outlines what universities can do to support young people in recognizing entrepreneurial opportunities and turning them into a reality. Anette Mack from Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum provides a report on an EU-backed project called Photonics4All, which introduces children and adolescents to the key technology of photonics. Thomas Kilian from the student engineers academy (SIA) at Friedrich Wöhler High School in Singen and Horst Scheu, director of the Steinbeis Transfer Center for Science Technology Education, provide an introduction to a testing process for bike finishes. Professor Dr. Heinz Trasch, director of the Steinbeis Transfer Center Science, Technology & Economy and a member of the jury for the young founders contest “Jugend gründet”, talks about his experiences and considers the importance of such competitions in preparing young people for future careers. Jens-Jochen Roth, who is director of the Steinbeis Innovation Center for Logistics and Sustainability (SLN) in Sinsheim, explains the possibilities for training on sustainable development in the field of logistics. Professor Dr. Carsten H. Hahn, director of the Steinbeis Transfer Center for Innovation Engineering & Entrepreneurship // i2e, a professor at Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences and an employee of SAP, talks about the role of the older generation in helping young people implement their ideas.