Siemens invites top young scientists to Nobel Meeting Conference in Lindau

Munich, Jun 23, 2006, Siemens has invited a select group of students and top young scientists from China, India, Russia, the U.S. and Europe to this year’s Lindau meeting of Nobel laureates in chemistry. There they will have the opportunity to speak with Nobel laureates in person and make contact with other young researchers. In his speech welcoming the students to Munich, Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld emphasized their role as outstanding examples of top performance in the sciences. He focused on the crucial importance of education and science for society as the foundation for technological innovation and jobs. Since top-level research nowadays always happens in teams, he pointed out, it is necessary for public and private-sector research to work together in synch to meet the challenges of the future. The notion of social responsibility was raised again by Nobel prizewinner Prof. Erwin Neher of the Max Planck Society as he, too, extended a warm welcome to the students.

Since 1951, Nobel laureates have met every year in Lindau with alternating scientific focus. This year, the chemistry laureates will convene from June 25-30. Siemens invited select young scientists and students from China, India, Russia, the U.S. and Europe to this one-of-a-kind event to attend presentations by the Nobel laureates and have a chance to exchange ideas with them.

Siemens CEO Klaus Kleinfeld: “Research and development are more crucial than ever today as the foundation for innovation and the creation of new jobs. That is why we foster the talented young people who will become the future top performers in their respective fields. We cherish their outstanding achievement and support them in their socially responsible role as young scientists. Through our commitment to the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting, we enable them to access the highest levels among the global network of scientists.”

“The technological solutions to tomorrow’s challenges from global megatrends will be interdisciplinary,” said Kleinfeld in his speech welcoming the young researchers to Siemens’ headquarters in Munich. “Top-level research always happens in networks to which all partners contribute their core expertise. Creating links between the next generation and the scientific elite and industry will help us to master the challenges of the future.”

Prof. Erwin Neher, director of the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, inspired the young scientists with a fascinating description of his academic career, leading to his being awarded the Nobel prize for physiology or medicine in 1991. “Research enables us to better understand the world we live in,” he emphasized. “Experience shows that in the vast majority of cases this ultimately benefits humanity as well. By applying our new knowledge in a responsible manner, we will be able to meet our obligations to society.”

As part of the official welcome to the fourteen young scientists, Prof. Claus Weyrich, member of the Siemens Managing Board and head of the Corporate Technology department, pointed out that as a trendsetter the company pursued a comprehensive innovation strategy. Cooperation with the global public research community was an important element of this strategy, he said. “The key to success lies not only in excellent products and processes, but above all in excellent employees who work together in interdisciplinary teams, in a multicultural atmosphere, and with enthusiasm for their work. Top-educated employees who follow this approach provide the basis for an excellent exchange with the public research community.”

Siemens’ commitment to the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting is part of its “Generation 21” program, the umbrella under which the company combines all of its corporate citizenship activities in the area of education, from kindergarten to schools and the university level.

Press photos of the event will be available in printable resolution beginning at 3:00 p.m. at http://www.siemens.com/ct-picture/ct200605002

About Siemens Corporate Technology
In the fiscal year 2004/2005, Siemens invested € 5.2 billion in research and development. Worldwide, approximately more than 47,000 researchers and developers work on the newest technologies. With 53,000 current patents, the company is a world leader. Within the corporate department, Corporate Technology (CT), over 2,500 employees work worldwide on key and profile technologies that have a significant role in managerial areas. In addition, CT is responsible within Siemens for global patent management, environmental protection and work with international standardization bodies as well as for the Corporate Information Research Center. Further information about CT is available in the Internet at www.siemens.com/corporate-technology.

Reference number: CT 200606.002 e

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Guido Weber

Siemens Corporate Technology

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