The current summer semester is coming to an end - the lecturers of the Study Programmes offered in Mechatronics and Higher Teaching Degrees at Vocational Schools (Engineering Education) met for a joint reflection, first as part of a strategy meeting, later with the Industrial Advisory Board and at the alumni meeting.
At the Advisory Board meeting, Dean of Studies, Studies Dean Prof. Dr. Peter Eichinger, reported on the current situation, the development of student numbers, current projects and adjustments to the range of lectures, the introduction of English-language programs offered such as Mechatronics Engineering and participation in the Smart Green Island Makeathon on Gran Canaria, which was financially supported by some members of the Advisory Board.
This was followed seamlessly by the alumni reunion. Started over 60 years ago as Precision Engineering, the Mechatronics degree programme has produced a large number of students, all of whom are now sought-after experts in regional companies. Not even the rainy weather stood in the way of the barbecue organized by staff members Rainer Abele and Sonja Dambacher on this day at Campus Burren. Many of the numerous participants exchanged views on their appointment funding for professors; appointment funds and further development. The professors concluded from the discussions: The graduates of the institution of higher education are in high demand and have all successfully opened up attractive career paths for themselves.
As part of the alumni evening, a veteran of Aalen University of Applied Sciences Mechatronics was bid farewell into retirement: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schmitt was active at the institution of higher education for 32 years - according to his colleagues Eichinger and Prof. Dr. Bernhard Höfig "a driving force and valuable source of ideas. And he did this quite naturally until he retired from active service." Generations of students were put through their paces by Professor Schmitt in mechanics for engineering at the beginning of their studies. Always challenging, but always fair, as we were told. He was involved in numerous Head /Director roles, including Dean of Studies, Studies Coordinator on the masters/master's programme in Systems Engineering and Head of the Internships Office. He set up the MekA (Mechatronics compact through credit transfer) study program, a shortened course for graduates of technical schools in joint project partnerships. Dean of Studies, Studies Dean Eichinger thanked Schmitt for his commitment and presented him with a farewell photo book with the title: "We carry on: Engineering. For a world worth living in."
