Lower Saxony: Prime Minister starts fire test – A step towards safety!

Lower Saxony: Prime Minister starts fire test – A step towards safety!

On July 4, 2025, there will be numerous news and developments at the Technical University of Braunschweig, ranging from the continuous promotion of digitalization to important projects for equality for women in science. One of the highlights of this week is the visit of Olaf Lies, Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, who visited the Center for Fire Research (ZeBra) on July 1st and initiated a fire test on a wooden facade. Such experiments are of great importance to further research the safety and sustainable use of building materials.

Another significant step in the digital transformation of the construction industry was taken on July 3rd with the opening of the Digital Construction Site on Campus East. This initiative aims to strengthen digitalization in the construction industry and increase efficiency in construction projects. According to a study on digitalization in the construction industry, digital tools and platforms are becoming increasingly important to avoid cost overruns in complex infrastructure projects.

Digitalization in construction

Valuable insights were gained as part of the “Digital Construction Management” (DiCoMa) consortium project, which ended on April 30, 2023. Partners of the initiative, which include the Fraunhofer Institute and BuildingSMART, conducted 26 interviews with industry representatives to shed light on the current challenges and opportunities of digitalization. Respondents reported the benefits of digital transformation, such as optimized processes and better collaboration. However, obstacles such as staff shortages and technical challenges such as data sharing and low data quality remain.

The results of the study show that further training and political support are necessary to establish the necessary standards for data transmission and to reduce the training effort for new software solutions. Fraunhofer IESE emphasizes the relevance of these measures for ensuring competitiveness in the construction industry.

Scientific and social initiatives

The Technical University of Braunschweig has also taken a remarkable step in social responsibility. To promote women in science, the university receives 825,000 euros from the BMBF's women's professor program in cooperation with the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture. This measure aims to strengthen equality in an industry that is often dominated by men.

In addition, various summer and training projects such as the DLR_Uni_Summer_School and the Automotive Circular Economy Summer School have started this season. Such programs are crucial to equipping students and professionals with the skills required in an increasingly digital world.

The ongoing challenges, including the shortage of skilled workers and the need for effective collaboration between companies and research institutions, were also highlighted in a Study on the potential of digitalization in the construction industry thematised. This emphasizes the importance of viewing digitalization not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity for a sustainable construction industry.

The commitment of TU Braunschweig shows that the university is not only an educational institution, but also an active contributor to social and digital progress. Numerous events, including concerts and exhibitions, invite you to become part of this dynamic community and celebrate the diverse talents of students and employees.