Form Brain Drain to Brain Gain: How TIDIT Strengthens Regional Innovation

Education and digital transformation are cornerstones of Thurgau’s future strategy. Many young people leave the canton to study elsewhere – and risk not returning. To counter this “brain drain,” Thurgau invests in partnerships with nearby universities and research institutes, embedding academic expertise in the region through affiliated institutes.

This is precisely why Thurgau Institute for Digital Transformation (TIDIT) was founded in 2024 as a regional point to the challenges of digitalization. Under the leadership of Dr. Caroline Obolensky, the institute focuses on Data Systems and Probabilistic AI, with a strong emphasis on transforming research into practical applications for businesses. Tidit is affiliated with the German universities University of Konstanz, and HTWG Konstanz.

“For SMEs, collaborating with universities is often a hurdle. We lower that threshold,” says Obolensky. Accessible entry points such as innovation vouchers and student theses open new pathways for collaboration. Through a partnership with the Studyond platform, TIDIT ensures that companies and students find each other more easily – creating opportunities in areas such as computer vision, predictive maintenance, and data analysis.

Obolensky highlights the strategic role of student theses: they serve as testing grounds for larger innovation projects. “If we succeed in improving matching and visibility, we unlock tremendous potential,” she notes.

Looking ahead, TIDIT is preparing a new AI and digitalization study, the first of its kind for Thurgau and Eastern Switzerland. Launching in spring 2026, the annual study will serve as a regional barometer, showing where Thurgau stands in the national context and where untapped potential lies.

With initiatives like TIDIT, Thurgau is positioning itself through academic research expertise. “We don’t see ourselves as a standalone institute, but as part of an ecosystem,” Obolensky emphasizes. “Only together with businesses, universities, and students can we shape digital transformation successfully.”