--- title: "Introducing Leipzig as a centre of science" url: "https://www.leipzig-convention.com/en/article/introducing-leipzig-as-a-centre-of-science" language: "en" type: "Article, BlogPosting" image: "https://dam.destination.one/2413727/64e95ebce64d61458efa788f6f60626808447dbf196ffe27e6f4431d9234d0c2/scientific-location-with-bio-city-leipzig-leipzig-convention-bureau.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > Leipzig Convention > Special > Destination.Data Details > Article" --- Share Introducing Leipzig as a centre of science ========================================== - Industry expertise - Top highlight - Blog-Artikel scientific location with Bio-City Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Scientific location with Bio-City Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Scientific location with Fraunhofer Institute for cell therapy and immunology\| Leipzig Convention Bureau Leipzig Augustusplatz with Leipzig University \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Faculty of medicine at Leipzig University \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Media center of the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK Leipzig) \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau University of Music and Theatre \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Scientific location with cardiac centre Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Escalator at the foyer of the event venue Congress Center Leipzig \| Leipzig Convention Bureau Research, teaching, knowledge and technology transfer: Leipzig is a strong centre of science. The city is steeped in tradition – starting with the founding of Germany’s second oldest university in 1409. The activities of the Alma Mater Lipsiensis, other universities and other institutions make a significant contribution to economic dynamism and urban development. This attractive environment is also used by organisers of scientific conferences and congresses. The centre of science at a glance --------------------------------- ### **From basic research to knowledge and technology transfer** Leipzig as a centre of science includes the University of Leipzig, 13 higher education and 15 non-university . These include the , two Fraunhofer Institutes, two Helmholtz Centres, three Max Planck Institutes and four Leibniz Institutes. The has been based in Leipzig since 1846. With this diversity, Leipzig’s research landscape covers the entire spectrum from highly theoretical basic research to application-oriented knowledge and technology transfer. The city has a total of **around 40,500 students and 11,700 researchers**. The science sector as a whole employs around 60,500 people. **Once a year**, the general public has the opportunity to find out more about the many different things going on. This is when the University of Leipzig, other higher education institutions, research organisations and companies with close links to the sciences invite visitors to the in cooperation with the City of Leipzig. Within the city administration, the is the point of contact for science and an important interface. ### **Synergies between science and business** The City of Leipzig specifically supports and promotes as future-oriented industries. is a technology and start-up centre. **It is an outstanding example of the synergetic interaction between science and business.** Biotech companies and start-ups from the life sciences sector are based here, in the direct vicinity of the , the , the and university research centres. And the site is growing: a new biotech innovation centre is being built on the . Another flagship is the **Leipzig Wissenschaftspark**, home to the , the Leibniz Institutes for and , and various university institutes. The , a modern event centre, is part of the research campus. University of Leipzig --------------------- ### **A for African Studies to Z for Zahnmedizin (Dentistry)** **Leipzig University** is a classic **comprehensive university** with **14 faculties and 130 institutes**. It employs 465 professors and more than 2,800 academic staff. Subjects range from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences, life sciences and medicine. **More than 31,000 students** are enrolled on almost 160 courses ranging from A for African Studies to Z for Zahnmedizin (Dentistry). About 12 per cent of students come from abroad. There are around 4,700 graduates each year. **The university’s largest faculties** are the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Medicine. The **Faculty of Philology** comprises ten institutes, ranging from American Studies to Sorbian Studies, including the – the oldest institute for German as a foreign language in the German-speaking world. With 27 professorships, **the Faculty of Law** is one of the largest law faculties in the country. The **Faculty of Medicine** is the largest training centre for students of human medicine, dentistry and midwifery in Saxony, and the only one for pharmacy. With more than 6,000 employees and 60 clinics, institutes and departments, the **University of Leipzig Medical Center** is the largest hospital in the city and sets standards in every respect: since 2022, there have been **three innovative, high-precision operating theatres** with intraoperative imaging and navigation – the most advanced surgical technology in central Germany. The **Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery (****)**, founded in 2005, is also one of the most important research centres for biomedical technology in Germany. **A unique selling point of the Alma Mater Lipsiensis** is its city centre location. The cityscape is dominated by the Neues Augusteum and the . The , a new building for cutting-edge research into globalisation processes, will also be built in the city centre by 2026. Right next door: the new building of the . The redesign of the centrally located Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz included scientific institutes from the outset. No matter where you go in the centre of Leipzig, you are never far away from the hustle and bustle of this centre of science. Higher education institutions in Leipzig ---------------------------------------- ### **Applied sciences, arts and practical relevance** is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Germany, with around 6,400 students on 40 degree programmes. It is known for its broad **engineering and technical profile**, combining practical teaching with applied research. In 2023, WirtschaftsWoche named HTWK Leipzig one of Germany’s best universities of applied sciences. is a **state-recognised business school** and has received several awards from the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft as Germany’s leading university for start-up companies. is the **first branch of a British university in Germany** and offers English-language bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes in areas such as economics and management science, accounting and finance, data science and cyber security. offers part-time master’s programmes for media professionals. The , the and the offer dual study programmes with different practical aspects. The and the are among the five art academies in Saxony. In the areas of research, teaching, and knowledge and technology transfer, there are **numerous collaborations and close cooperation** between the university, other higher education institutions and non-university research organisations. In addition, individual specialist departments are closely networked, for example with institutions such as the , highly specialised affiliated institutes such as the and other national and international research locations. The raises the visibility of this wide-ranging field in Leipzig, promoting collaboration. is a brand that represents the business and biotech location, especially when it comes to international marketing. Outstanding, award-winning science ---------------------------------- ### **Nobel Prizes and the Leipzig Science Prize** The first Nobel Prizes for outstanding scientific achievements were awarded back in in 1901. And scientists from the University of Leipzig have already won one of these top international awards 20 times. **Leipzig’s first Nobel Prize winner** was Theodor Mommsen. The professor of law was awarded the 1902 Nobel Prize in Literature for his *Roman History*. **And the most recent example:** in 2022, **Svante Pääbo** was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for sequencing the Neanderthal genome and establishing the field of palaeogenetics. Pääbo is Honorary Professor of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Leipzig and Director of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. Other national and international testify to the excellence of the University of Leipzig’s scientific work. ### **Leipzig Science Prize** Every three years, the City of Leipzig and the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities award the . The award recognises scientific work that contributes to Leipzig’s reputation as a city of science. The most recent recipient of the award in 2022 was Professor Christian Wirth, spokesperson of the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Professor of Special Botany and Functional Biodiversity at the University of Leipzig and Max Planck Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena. From research to industry ------------------------- ### **Wide-ranging support for start-ups** As is evident in Leipzig, scientific institutions are an important source when it comes to start-ups. A study of start-up activity in Saxony in 2023 shows that almost 40 per cent of the Free State’s start-ups are based in Leipzig. According to the survey, access to higher education or research institutions plays a particularly important role, both for scientific exchange and for recruitment. Other strengths include attracting IT and high-tech companies in the life sciences and the in Leipzig. The initiative supports start-up projects at the University of Leipzig. **Incubators and accelerators** such as , the , and the increase the chances of a new company establishing itself in the long term. Over the past 30 years, HHL alone has produced more than 530 start-ups with more than 50,000 employees. In order to overcome the challenges of commercialising deep-tech innovations and to establish a link between research and industry, HHL and the founded the in 2023. The also places transfer at the centre of its activities and promotes projects and initiatives that provide impetus for economic growth in Leipzig and bring about lasting change. Scientific exchange ------------------- ### **Meetings and congresses in Leipzig** For science and the transfer of knowledge, exchange and networking are essential. This is evidenced by the large number of scientific industry meetings of all sizes taking place in Leipzig. On the one hand, they are organised by players in the Leipzig scientific community, and on the other, external organisers invite participants to Leipzig and benefit from local expertise. In addition to , scientific and medical conferences are held every year in conference hotels and venues such as the and the . Take a look at the to see which topics will be attracting experts to Leipzig in the near future. The centre of science also benefits from the many advantages of the city as a conference location. P.S. Under the heading **“Strengthening Internationality”**, the outlines the further development of Leipzig as a European city of culture, sport and science. Science and research contribute to Leipzig’s development, as does the city’s role as a destination for high-level meetings and congresses. Strong partners for events -------------------------- Would you like to find out more about the who can support you at scientific conferences and congresses in Leipzig? Are you planning an event in Leipzig and looking for a suitable or inspiration for your ? If so, the will be your first point of contact. The team offers free expert advice, is well connected and will give you a helpful overview of Leipzig as a place to meet. We look forward to hearing from you! Our recommendations ------------------- View on map - Location - Supporting programme