Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management (ITT)
The research institute “Institute for Natural Resources Technology and Management”, founded in 2024 under the umbrella of the Faculty of Spatial Development and Infrastructure Systems, is the successor institute to the “Institute for Technology and Resources Management in the Tropics and Subtropics”. It will continue under the name “ITT” and will now focus primarily on research and knowledge transfer. In doing so, it seamlessly builds on the work of its predecessor and benefits from its decades of experience in research and teaching.
Combining research, teaching and practice
The ITT supports the faculty in the implementation and targeted further development of its teaching and study programs with concrete research impulses - especially in the Master's programs. It involves students, doctoral candidates and postdocs in research projects and promotes the international exchange of lecturers and researchers. In the spirit of open science, knowledge, data and information are shared with society and the scientific community.
Research for global challenges
The ITT works in an inter- and transdisciplinary manner and has a strong international network. It is guided by the concept of sustainable development as defined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and focuses primarily on the regions of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The aim is to develop integrated solutions to the challenges arising from the use of natural resources, especially against the backdrop of a sustainable socio-ecological transformation. The focus is on the management of these resources and the associated technologies.
The ITT works closely with practitioners to jointly design research (co-design) and jointly develop knowledge (co-creation). This supports decision-making processes that promote a long-term transformation towards greater sustainability. The Institute works in a practice-oriented and cross-disciplinary manner with the aim of generating and utilizing knowledge that meets the needs of society (global challenges).
Visibility through global networking
The institute participates in cooperative, inter- and transdisciplinary research projects, thereby strengthening its own visibility as well as that of the faculty and the university. With its extensive network and numerous partnerships in development cooperation and higher education at regional, national and international level, the ITT is an important partner in the sustainable management of natural resources and technologies. One example of this is the coordination of the international university network “Centers for Natural Resources and Development” (CNRD), which connects partner universities from over 30 countries and benefits from synergies.
