The founding president of the UTN, Prof. Michael Huth, Vice President Prof. Alexander Martin, and Chancellor Prof. Michael Fraas were guests at the MPL on January 14 this year. The purpose of the roundtable discussion, hosted by MPL Managing Director Prof. Florian Marquardt, Director Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar, and Head of Administration and Infrastructure Dr. Dorothe Burggraf, was to get to know the two research institutions better. The aim was to promote networking and strengthen Erlangen-Nuremberg as a center of knowledge in order to increase the international visibility of the regional science hub.

The distinguished guests gained insights into the basic research conducted at the MPL, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) in quantum physics and nano-optics. In addition, they learned about the research priorities at the interface of physics and medicine pursued at Max-Planck-Zentrum für Physik und Medizin. The discussions also included an exchange of experiences regarding infrastructure, such as large construction projects.

The Nuremberg delegation showed great interest during a subsequent tour of the modern institute building, starting on the roof terrace of the institute with a view over the whole of Erlangen and ending in the underground, vibration-resistant and temperature-controlled optical laboratories. The visit was accompanied by the respective press officers and the president's advisor with a focus on AI.

The UTN – founded five years ago as the first new state university in Bavaria in four decades—aims to further advance future-oriented, interdisciplinary research with a focus on artificial intelligence. The founding building is expected to be completed in 2030 and will provide space for over 200 professorships.