How can Thuringia continue to develop as a hub for innovation? How can young people be inspired by future technologies and encouraged to become skilled workers in the long term? And what role do engineers play in tackling major challenges like climate change, digitalisation, the energy transition, and artificial intelligence?

These are the questions that will be addressed at the »Tag der Ingenieurwissenschaften Thüringen«, an event which has been organised by the »Allianz Thüringer Ingenieurwissenschaften« at various university locations since 2021. The event is aimed at both school children and representatives from politics, businesses, science, educational institutions, associations, and social organisations. The goal is to highlight successful collaborations, establish new networks, and collaborate on developing ideas for the future of Thuringia as a hub for STEM and innovation.

»Engineering and technical and scientific disciplines have long characterised Weimar. They continue to be important professional fields when it comes to advancing Weimar as a key region for sustainable innovation. This is why supporting the event, and in fact the entire sector, is so important to me«, expresses Weimar Mayor Peter Klein. Klein will be taking on the event’s patronage in 2026 and opening the event together with University President Prof. Peter Benz. 

»The future doesn’t happen on its own. It is designed, calculated, built, and constantly reimagined. This is exactly what engineering is all about«, summarises Benz, adding: »The Tag der Ingenieurwissenschaften (Engineering Day) shows just how much innovative drive, creativity, and social responsibility there is in these disciplines and in our state.«

Shaping the Future, Attracting Skilled Workers

Within the context of an increasing shortage of skilled workers in STEM professions, promoting young talent is becoming more and more important. While the demand for qualified experts in the fields of computer science, civil engineering, energy and electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering is steadily increasing, the number of first-year students is these technical subjects is decreasing across the nation. »Tag der Ingenieurwissenschaften (Engineering Day) at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar has therefore chosen to deliberately focus on direct interaction with over 200 school children from the region«, explains Jr. Prof. Lars Abrahamczyk and Jr. Prof. Nikolaus Seitz, organiser of the Tag der Ingenieurwissenschaften (Engineering Day) in Weimar. 

The organisers are placing particular importance on the perspectives of young people, which is why they have invited three Weimar »Abitur« level students to the stage in the Maurice-Halbwachs-Auditorium for a panel discussion. From 11 am to 12 pm, the pupils, together with representatives from industry and academia, will discuss future career opportunities, technological innovations, and the benefits of studying in Thuringia. Among those participating are Nadine Cunaeus, Head of Human Resources at Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, Dr. Andreas Jakoby, Academic Advisor for Computer Science at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, and Dr. Elizabeth Watts from the Science Discovery Centre Weimar.

Making Innovation Visible 

Starting at 2 pm, the focus will be on research and technology transfer. A number of the labs in the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering will be open to the public. The poster exhibition and Science Slam at Coudraystraße 4 and 9 will showcase best-practice examples from Thuringian universities in the fields of medicine, mobility, robotics, and materials science. The winning team will be awarded a trophy.

From 4:30 to 5:30 pm, Prof. Guido Morgenthal, Vice President for Projects and Research at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, will be hosting an expert discussion at the »Versuchstechnische Einrichtung (VTE)« at Weimar’s »Centrum für Intelligentes Bauen«. With the theme »It takes a region to create impact!«, Thurigia’s Minister of Economic Affairs Colette Boos-John, civil engineer and architect Prof. Werner Sobek, Prof, Jens Müller from the Technischen Universität Ilmenau’s Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Markus Heyn from the IHK Erfurt, and Director of the »Institut für Angewandte Bauforschung« (IAB Weimar) Robert Fetter, will be discussing the relationship between research and practice. 

Media representatives are warmly invited to attend! 

Tag der Ingenieurwissenschaften (Engineering Day) 2026
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
9 am to 6 pm
Bauhaus-Universität Weimar

Programme details and registration can be found at: 
www.uni-weimar.de/tdi 

Questions can be directed to Jr. Prof. Lars Abrahamczyk, Professorship of Advanced Structures, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, by e-mail: lars.abrahamczyk[at]uni-weimar.de