Prof. Gries (ITA) Receives Honorary Professorship from Moscow State University
In a festive ceremony held in Moscow on January 25, Professor Thomas Gries, director of the RWTH Aachen Institute of Textile Technology, ITA for short, was awarded an honorary professorship by Lomonosov Moscow State University. “Prof Gries is honoured in lieu of his extraordinary scientific achievement in the development of fiber based composites,“ announced Prof Sadownitschij, Rector of MSU, to the prominent guests from industry, research and politics. The distinguished professorship is awarded once a year to a deserving foreign scientist as well as a Russian citizen. This year, the first woman in space, Russian Valentina Tereshkova received the honor, too. Historically, such honorary professorships from MSU have been bestowed upon several Nobel laureates such as Niels Bohr.
Systematic Development of Tailored Reinforcement Textiles
Headed by Professor Thomas Gries, a research group at the Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) has systematically developed and realized a concept for “Tailored Reinforcement Textiles” – from the idea to a method of industrial production. This provides a basis for the resource-efficient production of fiber composite components and a wide range of light-weight applications, e.g. in the automotive industry.
Enabling German-Russian Scientific Connections
The honorary professorship for Professor Gries is also recognition of his success in deepening Russian-German scientific relations. He initiated both the exchange of graduate students and scientists as well as guest lectures and research partnerships.
A highlight will be a workshop at MSU concerning the future of high-performance materials in the energy sector. In spring 2013, renowned scientists and industry representatives from both countries will come together for intensive discussion on a common research agenda over a period of two days. "This event will establish a close collaboration of renowned research institutions in Russia and Germany. New approaches for the efficient use of energy resources have a strategic importance in both countries,” explained Professor Gries at the inauguration of this initiative.
Career of Professor Thomas Gries
Professor Gries studied Industrial and Mechanical Engineering and received a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering. Subsequently, he worked for several years in a senior position in industry. Since April 2001, he has been Director of the Institute of Textile Technology (ITA) at RWTH Aachen University, a research institution with currently 300 employees, including 90 researchers.
Since 2001, Gries has managed to achieve a five-fold increase in the institute’s turnover; 95 percent of its revenue is from external funding sources, both public and industrial. Under his leadership, ITA has developed into an interdisciplinary, internationally renowned institute of materials and manufacturing engineering.
Background Information
Since 2006, there has been an agreement that governs the relationship between RWTH Aachen University and Moscow State University. Due to the higher education agreement, an exchange program is in place, which gives all Bachelor and Master students as well as diploma students the chance for an exchange between RWTH Aachen and Moscow State University.