Strategische Partnerschaft mit dem Institute of Science Tokyo

Source: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/brennw/lidx/1 Parent: https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/bure/lidx/1

Please contact the International Office for further information on the strategic partnership between RWTH Aachen University and the Institute of Science Tokyo. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Contact

Malin Praktiknjo

Strategy Asia and Africa

Phone: +49 241 80-91609\ Send Email\

Information About the Strategic Partnership

The strategic partnership between RWTH Aachen University and the Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology, now known as “Science Tokyo”) was officially established in 2007 when a memorandum of understanding was signed. At that time, the cooperation was already rooted in many years of collaboration between individual members of staff. Over the years, these academic relationships have developed into a friendly connection between the two universities, one that is characterized by excellence, mutual respect, and trust.

The research profiles of RWTH Aachen University and Science Tokyo are now even more similar than they were before the merger of the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the renowned Tokyo Dental and Medical University in 2024. This has given a positive impetus to the strategic partnership and it opens up numerous new opportunities for joint interdisciplinary research and teaching in areas such as natural sciences, engineering, and medicine. The strategic partnership was finalized in June 2025.

The excellent natural science, engineering, and medical programs at RWTH Aachen University and Science Tokyo enable both institutions to develop innovative solutions to socially important issues.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Science Tokyo with RWTH Rector Prof. Ulrich Rüdiger in June 2025 to get an idea of the German-Japanese cooperation and he summed up like this: “We also came here to show how scientific cooperation can work. The examples we have seen here today show how committed both sides are to working on the challenges for the future of this century.“

Science Tokyo ANNEX Aachen

In addition, the European office of Science Tokyo (”ANNEX Aachen") has been operating at RWTH since 2018, serving as an important interface and promoting exchange between the two universities. ANNEX Aachen has already organized numerous virtual events and in-person workshops on topics such as the nexus of medicine and electrical engineering, robotics, energy, architecture, and construction. These activities not only strengthen the academic ties between the two institutions, but also provide platforms for students and researchers to exchange ideas for joint project proposals.

Funding Opportunities and Application

There are various funding programs available to students and researchers at RWTH Aachen University and Science Tokyo.

For bachelor's and master's students:

For researchers:

Advanced Research Opportunities Program AROP
MIRAI Research Scholarship from RWTH Aachen University for Japan
RWTH Aachen University Research Fellowship Japan
If you are interested in an interdisciplinary research exchange or joint project, keep an eye on the information and calls for proposals from the Research Department, such as the International Research Space.

Do you have an idea for cooperation with Science Tokyo, or would you like to establish contacts with partners at Science Tokyo?

The International Office offers support in organizing individual measures such as establishing contacts, workshops, and exchange programs, and invites institutes to present their ideas for cooperation with the Japanese strategic partner to us at any time.

FAQ

What is a Strategic Partnership?

RWTH enters into strategic partnerships with renowned partners that have a similar profile to ours, such as Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, IIT Madras in Chennai, India, and Science Tokyo. These special partnerships are distinguished by the fact that the expansion of our cooperation with them is sustainable at all institutional levels. This applies to teaching, research, and administration. These partnerships are designed to develop joint structures and innovative teaching programs, establish research networks, and consolidate synergistic cooperation formats. The aim is to sharpen teaching and research profiles and promote the internationalization of RWTH Aachen University and its partner universities.

What are the core objectives of the RWTH Aachen University – Science Tokyo Strategic Partnership?

The strategic partnership aims to promote scientific excellence and technological innovation, and to develop responsible solutions for sustainable and inclusive future issues. This collaboration reinforces not only academic relations, but also social ties between Germany and Japan. The strategic partnership between RWTH Aachen University and the Institute of Science Tokyo serves as a model for how academic collaboration can advance broader social goals.

What are the core topics of the RWTH Aachen University – Science Tokyo Strategic Partnership?

The core research areas include hydrogen technologies, robotics, and innovative approaches in medicine and engineering. The topics reflect the interdisciplinary Visionary Initiatives of the Institute of Science Tokyo, which are structurally comparable to the profile areas of RWTH Aachen University. The aim is to intensify cooperation between the RWTH profile areas and the Visionary Initiatives of Science Tokyo.

About Science Tokyo

Science Tokyo is one of Japan's leading technical universities and it enjoys an excellent international reputation. The institution regularly ranks highly in various global university rankings, particularly in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. The university is known for its excellent research and innovative teaching methods, which aim to prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly changing world.\ \ Through its comprehensive programs in engineering, natural sciences, human medicine, and dentistry, it contributes significantly to the development of new technologies and solutions to societal challenges.\ \ In addition, Science Tokyo actively promotes the exchange of knowledge and ideas through various initiatives such as Visionary Initiatives, which bring together multiple disciplines and initiate innovative research projects. These activities underscore the university's commitment to scientific excellence and international collaboration.

Some of the Current Cooperation Projects

The strategic partnership between RWTH Aachen University and the Institute of Science Tokyo encompasses a wide range of exciting collaborative projects that cover various areas of research. Here are a few selected projects:

International graduate school “Hy-Potential”\ Responsible institute: Institute for Combustion Technology (Professor Heinz Pitsch)\ This project focuses on hydrogen technologies and investigates the production, storage, and use of hydrogen as a sustainable energy source.
Robotics cooperation\ Responsible institute: Institute of Mechanism Theory, Machine Dynamics and Robotics (Professor Burkhard Corves), among others.\ Several institutes at RWTH Aachen University are working together with Science Tokyo on innovative robot systems, including delta robots for precise movements and human-robot collaboration to support nursing staff.
Research on smart textiles\ Responsible institute: Institute for Textile Technology (Professor Thomas Gries)\ The collaboration in the field of smart textiles aims to develop innovative materials that can be used in medicine, especially in surgical applications.
Bioengineering projects\ Responsible institute: Institute for Micro- and Nanosystems (Professor Sven Ingebrandt)\ Scientists from both institutions are investigating biomedical technologies, including wearable health devices and implants, to improve future medical applications.
Innovations in architecture\ Responsible institute: Chair of Architectural Theory (Professor Axel Sowa)\ Together, concepts are being developed that promote sustainable building practices and take resource conservation into account during urban planning processes.
Artificial intelligence in medicine\ Responsible institute: Chair of Society and Technology (Professor Stefan Böschen)\ Both institutions are researching the use of AI technologies to improve diagnostic procedures and support medical decisions.
Research in the field of mobility & transport engineering\ Responsible institute: Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) (Professor Lutz Eckstein)\ This cooperation focuses on innovative approaches to improving traffic management and developing autonomous vehicles.

These projects demonstrate the broad spectrum of topics covered by the collaboration between RWTH Aachen University and Science Tokyo, as well as the commitment of both institutions to scientific excellence and innovation (as of August 2025).

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