Our Members: The Producers of Knowledge in the Region of Düsseldorf
The association of the Wissensregion Düsseldorf aims at bringing together important knowledge users and producers in the region of Düsseldorf and at promoting exchange, cooperation and projects between its members. Besides this fundamental idea of cooperation, assuring the quality of the initiated work plays a vital role.
These are the members of the “Verein zur Förderung der Wissensregion Düsseldorf e.V.“
- Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum, DDZ (German Diabetes Center): The DDZ is an interdisciplinary research institution that connects fundamental research on molecular and cell biology on the one hand with clinical and epidemiological research approaches on the other hand.
- Düsseldorf Marketing GmbH: The city brand of Düsseldorf is the responsibility of Düsseldorf Marketing, a municipal subsidiary that markets the State Capital together with Düsseldorf Tourismus (Düsseldorf Tourism).
- FHDW, Campus Mettmann: Mettmann is the fourth campus of the FHDW (Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft, Business University of Applied Sciences) with 230 currently enrolled students and more than 450 graduates. Special emphasis is on the high affinity for the financial sector: Two specialisations in Business Administration – “Financial Services” and “Banking and Finance” – can only be studied at this campus.
- Fliedner Fachhochschule Düsseldorf, FFH (Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf): The FFH is a young, private University of Applied Sciences with special emphasis on the fields of Social Work, Health, Pedagogy, Education and Management. The institution originates from the Kaiserswerther Diakonie in Düsseldorf – one of the oldest welfare companies in Germany.
- FOM Hochschule, Campus Düsseldorf (FOM University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf Campus): The establishment of FOM University was initiated by the non-profit foundation BildungsCentrum der Wirtschaft (EducationCenter in Economics). FOM is a state-recognised university and, counting more than 57,000 students, also Germany’s largest private university. In Düsseldorf, FOM University maintains a modern campus.
- Gesellschaft von Freunden und Förderern der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, GFFU (Association of Friends and Sponsors of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf): The GFFU is the leading private institution of science promotion in the region of Düsseldorf and one of the largest organisations in the field of university promotion in Germany.
- The Hochschule für angewandtes Management (HAM) is Bavaria’s largest private university and has 15 study locations in Germany and Austria. Since the winter semester of 2021/2022, the university has also had a location in the heart of Düsseldorf and offers students a perfect mix of online distance learning and face-to-face seminars.
- Handwerkskammer Düsseldorf, HWK (Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts): More than 59,000 craft enterprises in the HWK’s district produce and use knowledge on a daily basis. The Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts is one of the protagonists when it comes to vocational training and questions of starting a business.
- Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, HHU (Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf): The University of Düsseldorf was founded in 1965. Nowadays, around 33,000 students, more than 2,000 lecturers and 900 additional employees research, teach and work on its campus. The HHU’s self-perception is explicitly that of a “citizen’s university” with radiance in both city and region.
- Henkel: The traditional company, based in the Düsseldorf district of Holthausen, occupies leading positions in the world market of Laundry Detergents and Home Care, Beauty Care and Adhesive Technologies. Ever since its foundation in 1876, Henkel has been a pioneer in research and innovation and is closely linked to the State Capital of Düsseldorf.
- Hochschule Düsseldorf, HSD (University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf): The HSD is one of the largest public Universities of Applied Sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia. With seven faculties and more than 11,000 students, the HSD offers a wide range of studies whose profile is characterised by application-oriented and interdisciplinary teaching.
- Hochschule Bochum, Campus Velbert-Heiligenhaus, CVH (Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Velbert-Heiligenhaus Campus): CVH is home to several degree courses from the field of engineering science, most of which come with a dual (B.A. programmes) or extra occupational (M.A. programmes) curriculum. Practice orientation has been the focus at CVH, the second campus of Bochum University of Applied Sciences, since its foundation in 2009.
- Hochschule Fresenius (Standort Düsseldorf):The Hochschule Fresenius has nine locations within It has been supporting students on their educational path for 175 years. The Düsseldorf Campus for Business and Media offers 20 bachelor’s and 10 master’s degree programs. The private university offers the opportunity to learn interactively and face to face in small groups.
- Industrie- und Handelskammer zu Düsseldorf, IHK (Düsseldorf Chamber of Industry and Commerce): The IHK Düsseldorf represents the interests of its more than 93,000 member businesses, especially regarding vocational training. Its services include transfer offers in cooperation with the regional universities as well as start-up consultancy.
- Irene und Sigurd Greven Stiftung (Irene and Sigurd Greven Foundation): The foundation was established in honour of Sigurd Greven (Greven Verlage, Greven Publishing Houses) and promotes projects engaged with the history of culture, art, music, law and economics.
- Kreissparkasse Düsseldorf (District Savings Bank Düsseldorf): Since its foundation in 1905, Kreissparkasse Düsseldorf has been an important, regionally rooted financial institution for companies, municipalities and private individuals from Düsseldorf and the district of Mettmann. With its high level of digital networking and strong regional connections, it is committed to working hard for a region that is both rich in opportunities and worth living in.
- Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf (State Capital of Düsseldorf): Together with Greater London and Paris – Ille de France, the greater Düsseldorf area belongs to Europe’s most important regions for foreign direct investments. Here is where young companies and innovations emerge, here is where investments in education and schools are made.
- Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, MPIE (Max Planck Institute for Iron Research): The MPIE is a major research institute where a young and international team conducts fundamental research on high-performance materials, especially on metallic alloys and related materials.
- Nordrhein-Westfälische Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Künste, AWK (North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences, Humanities and the Arts): The AWK is a union of the federal state’s leading researchers and is home to almost 20 scientific research projects.
- Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf, RSH (Robert Schumann Conservatory Düsseldorf): The RSH enjoys an international reputation among conservatories. Around 850 students from more than 40 countries are trained here.
- Stiftung van Meeteren (van Meeteren Foundation): The foundation was established by Udo van Meeteren, honorary citizen of the city of Düsseldorf and patron of the arts, and is a large promoter of science and research, among others. It allows for the University of Düsseldorf to use the Haus der Universität (HdU, House of the University) at the central Schadowplatz in Düsseldorf. The offices of Wissensregion Düsseldorf e.V. are also located in the HdU.
- Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf (Student Services Organisation Düsseldorf): The Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf is responsible for the economic, health, cultural and social promotion of more than 67,000 students at the four public universities in Düsseldorf (HHU, HSD, RSH and Düsseldorf Art Academy), the Hochschule Niederrhein (Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences with campuses in Mönchengladbach and Krefeld) and the Hochschule Rhein-Waal (Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences with campuses in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort).
- Verein Deutscher Zementwerke e.V., VDZ (Association of German Cement Works): The VDZ, with its headquarters in Düsseldorf, is an internationally renowned centre for research and competence in the concrete and cement industry. It stands for practical science and offers comprehensive services in the fields of concrete, cement, operating technology and environmental protection.
- WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management, Campus Düsseldorf: The campus in Düsseldorf is the main location for the WHU’s post graduate programmes. The top-ranked MBA programme (#1 in Germany, Financial Times Ranking 2021) can be studied here.
Generally, legal entities that contribute to the knowledge location of Düsseldorf, Neuss and Mettmann can join the association. Interested institutions would have to submit a membership application of which the majority of the board needs to approve. If you would like to increase your institution’s opportunities, visibility and competitiveness by becoming a member of our network, we will be happy to discuss the details with you.
Photo credit: Oliver Tjaden