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Computer science, information systems and marine technology and engineering are traditionally significant branches of industry and research in both South Korea and northern Germany. To strengthen the expertise and competencies, MAO sought contact with Korean research colleagues by organising a symposium and stand as part of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) pilot project on research marketing. Seven innovative companies and research institutes from Mecklenburg-West Pomerania as well as the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) contributed to the tailor-made research marketing project.

Focus on: Maritime transport technologies

October 2008 saw the participating network partners in Pusan, South Korea, send out invitations to attend the first German-Korean Symposium on Maritime Transport Technologies. The use of information technology was one of the key topics. The Korean partner was the Maritime & Ocean Engineering Research Institute (MOERI), a leading maritime research centre in South Korea. The high international reputation that MOERI enjoyed and the  excellent contacts that both partners had with the shipbuilding industry and shipbuilding research made the symposium a great success for both sides.

At the same time, the German companies and institutes organised a joint stand at the shipbuilding, port and marine exhibition KORMARINE. Using a video show, the Germans presented their research work and the various opportunities that are available for engaging in cooperation with the Korean shipbuilding industry. Contacts have also been made in the maritime field on which the MAO members can build. For example, the Computer Graphics Centre (ZGDV) from Rostock is working together with its local university and the Dongseo University on a collaborative project proposal for developing an innovative and new and novel early-warning system for toxic algal bloom.

Foundations for tomorrow's research

The visit to Korea enabled the German scientists and researchers to take this highly-promising path in the future, too. Prof. Karsten Wehner, Chairman of the Institute for Energy Environment Consultancy in Warnemünde, an MAO member, said: "The contacts we have made and the knowledge we have acquired on how best to proceed has made cooperation much easier and better."