Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAMDr Tanja Warratz is responsible for communication and marketing in the »Training Center for Adhesive Bonding Technology« department at Fraunhofer IFAM. She gives an insight into her efforts to promote the exchange and networking of the institute with training participants and other interested parties. In doing so, she also addresses the changes brought about by the digitisation of communication.
Dr Warratz, how important are exchange and networking in the Training Center for Adhesive Bonding Technology?
A very great deal. Of course, as the Training Center for Adhesive Bonding Technology, we are first and foremost concerned with imparting knowledge. But we don't see this as a one-way street: I book a course, take the knowledge with me and then implement the contents in my company in the best possible way. We are convinced that both the participants and we as an institution benefit most when we exchange ideas and engage in dialogue - even beyond the course date. Because whether in bonding or in composites: We are always a small, manageable group of people with often very specialised knowledge. So it is essential to talk to each other and stay in contact.
What possibilities do I have as an interested person to seek exchange and to get in touch with those responsible at the Institute?
First of all, this is always a fixed part of each of our courses. But of course the content of the courses is in the foreground. That's why we have designed some events with a clear focus on networking, exchange and dialogue: The Bremer Klebtage (language: german) and the Bremer Faserverbundtage (language: german) and the Bremen Bonding Days (language: english). But it was not only during the Corona pandemic that we realised: we also need a way to be approachable beyond these established and popular on-site event formats, independent of location and time. We can offer this through our digital presences, which are also becoming increasingly important in communication with the adhesive and composites community.
You mentioned the growing importance of digital channels - where are you present here and what do you expect from this?
We started with Xing groups for the two topics of adhesive bonding technology and fibre composites. We also added a LinkedIn focus page under the name »Adhesive Bonding @Fraunhofer IFAM«. The plan is that we will also open a focus page for composites on LinkedIn. This will be the case at the beginning of 2023. This is also a reaction to Xing's central decision to close all groups on their platform on 11 January 2023. LinkedIn will therefore be the central digital place from the new year, where there will be news and trends on further education and technology transfer, as well as many opportunities for exchange. Our intention is that - no matter where you are or how much time you have - everyone who is interested will have an opportunity to exchange ideas about bonding and composites with like-minded people.
Dr Warratz, thank you very much for the interview.