Professor Andreas Klasen, Head of the Institute for Trade and Innovation: "I am absolutely delighted to welcome our new Practitioner Advisory Board Members. Collectively and individually, they bring a diversity and wealth of knowledge and expertise in trade and innovation." The main role of the Members is to advise on the strategic direction of the Institute, as well as priorities and gaps in research and postgraduate education. IfTI Board Members are appointed by the University Rector for a period of three years on the basis of their expertise in higher education, or their experience in industries.

Part of Offenburg University in the Black Forest, the Institute for Trade and Innovation is home to leading academics in the field of trade and innovation-led economic development and growth through research covering benchmarking, strategy, implementation and process improvement. The Institute is uniquely positioned leveraging strategic policy initiatives, practitioner-led research and consultancy associated with trade, innovation and economic development. IfTI's activities are based on an interdisciplinary approach with a cluster of economists, business and finance experts, marketing specialists and lawyers pooling their expertise to develop and implement state-of-the art results.