image: Rainer Brüderle, the German Federal Minister of Economics and Technology (right), presents the award to PTB President Ernst O. Göbel (left). view more
Credit: BMWi
This release is available in German.
Professor Dr. Ernst Otto Göbel, President of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), has been awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. With this award, among other things, his achievements towards furthering Germany's international reputation in the field of metrology are honoured. PTB as one of the leading metrology institutes contributes considerably, through its international commitment and its great achievement in research, to the harmonization of global metrology and supports through its measurement capabilities and facilities, above all, also the German economy. Rainer Brüderle, the Federal Minister of Economics and Technology, presented the award to Professor Göbel today in the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie (Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology).
In his laudation, he honoured Professor Göbel as a scientist and a professor who has made exceptional contributions over and above the office of President of PTB to the well-being of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Federal Minister Brüderle: "I thank Professor Dr. Göbel for the outstanding contribution he has made to the international reputation of Germany in the field of metrology. The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt is of great importance to the German economy. For PTB and the other scientific institutes assigned to me, I will emphatically support obtaining the best possible general framework conditions for their work."
Professor Göbel has been president of PTB since 1995. "The most important thing during this time was, in spite of all the economy measures, to maintain our high level of quality both in research as well as in the services rendered", Professor Göbel says in taking stock himself. "Many of our projects forge ahead and break new ground in research, as, for example, the development of increasingly accurate clocks or the redetermination of the kilogram." The fact that PTB produces first class research is not only confirmed in the most recent evaluation report of the Science Council but is also reflected in the confidence that is placed in PTB – and hence Professor Göbel – worldwide. Thus he was – among other things – elected to the presidency of the Committee of the International Meter Convention. This committee meanwhile represents 85 member and associated states and wants to promote international scientific cooperation on the basis of uniform units and, at the same time, reduce economic barriers to trade. Professor Göbel was elected not only because of his great technical knowledge, but also because of his ability to work out amicable solutions.
Further information:
http://www.bmwi.de/BMWi/Navigation/technologie-und-innovation,did=6598.html