Kai de Weldige new CEO of the Wissensregion Düsseldorf

New responsibility for the executive of the MPIE

Dr. Kai de Weldige, executive at the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung (MPIE), is since March 2021 responsible for coordinating the Wissensregion Düsseldorf as new chief executive. He succeeds Prof. Ulrich von Alemann who retired at the end of 2020. "Professor Alemann initiated the Wissensregion Düsseldorf, played a major role in shaping it and supported the cooperation of the various partners. Great thanks for these fundamental steps! I look forward to further strengthening Düsseldorf as an important research location," says de Weldige.  The first step is now to complete the evaluation of the pilot phase and develop a new strategy for the coming years.

de Weldige joined the MPIE in 2012 as head of administration and executive, where he completed his doctoral studies in chemistry from 1993-1996. He headed the team "Natural and Technical Sciences" at the Stifterverband in Essen from 1996-2011. de Weldige is also senator in the Senate of Economy since 2013.

The association Wissensregion Düsseldorf e.V. was founded in 2017. The association aims to link regional players from research and education, improve the conditions for research and teaching and intensify the exchange between companies, students and trainees. The Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung is a founding member.

Author: Yasmin Ahmed Salem