Deggendorf Institute of Technology
Pioneering and Vibrant
The Department of Digitalisation and Innovative Teaching at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) and the head of the event, Prof Dr Patrick Glauner, invite you to the German-speaking virtual DigiCamp “DigiFitnessCheck”. Glauner is looking forward to the exchange with company representatives from the region: “Digitalisation is the order of the day. But most companies do not know how to get fit digitally and what needs to be taken into account. How do you proceed correctly and with what plan? This is exactly the question we will answer at DigiCamp”.
Often a successful implementation of digitalisation fails because of an individual strategy, because digitalisation is much more than the usual online trade and its ERP processes. It is necessary to identify optimisation potentials along the value chain and in the product portfolio, which bring functional or cost advantages. Glauner explains: “Pragmatic actionism is just as nonsensical as an overly complex digitalisation vision”.
In addition to the head of the event and AI expert, Prof Dr Patrick Glauner, consultant and company coach, Markus Kammermeier from Change42 GmbH, will provide insights into how companies can be among the winners of digital transformation.
The target group of the DigiCamp are all companies that want to develop an adapted and individual digitalisation strategy for themselves in order to successfully face the digital future as well as the interested public.
Prof Dr Thorsten Gerdes heads the Keylab Glass Technology at the University of Bayreuth and is Scientific Director at the Technology User Centre (TAZ) in Spiegelau, which is part of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT). The professor has now been nominated for the final round of the German Future Prize of the Federal President in cooperation with the industrial partners Dyneon/3M and Maxit at the Deutsches Museum in Munich.
On the occasion of the announcement of the three nominated projects on 9 September, Bavaria’s Science Minister Bernd Sibler emphasised the value of research: “Without our researchers and developers, without their spirit of innovation and vision of the future, we cannot find answers to the pressing questions of our time. I am very grateful that they are developing ideas that can make our lives better in the future – and that worldwide. Visions for a better future also come from Bavaria: futurology research in all areas is carried out at our Bavarian universities. Future fields of technology play a special role here. The Minister was very pleased that one of the top three projects also comes from Bavaria. Energy efficiency and sustainability are forward-looking topics that must be dedicated to the coming generations with all their might.
The Federal President’s Science Prize is one of the most important science prizes in Germany. This year it will be awarded on 25 November in Berlin by Frank-Walter Steinmeier. By the way, live on ZDF. Three topics will then have the chance to win the € 250,000 prize money in addition to the scientific reputation: It’s about new developments in future information technology, automation in medicine and, of course, more climate-neutral construction.
The team around the speaker Dipl-Ing (FH) Friedbert Scharfe (Maxit), Dr rer nat Klaus Hintzer (Dyneon/3M) and Prof Dr-Ing Thorsten Gerdes for the system “ecosphere” – an innovative, environmentally friendly system of sprayable insulation with micro hollow glass beads, which was developed in a project between the partners and the Keylab Glass Technology of the University of Bayreuth, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
This is where DIT and TAZ Spiegelau come in. Within the framework of the recently launched “Micro-Bubble” project – also a BMBF-funded project – research is already being conducted on the next generation of building insulation. The basis for his continues to the hollow micro-bubbles. The aim of the researchers in Eastern Bavaria and Upper Franconia is to achieve a further improvement in the production process for this lightweight material.
The Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) has been intensively promoting the use of digital teaching for years before the corona pandemic. This commitment has now been rewarded with a grant of € 182,000 for DIT projects from the Virtual University of Bavaria (vhb).
The digital courses offered via the SMART vhb platform gained in importance due to the cancellation of classroom teaching this summer semester. DIT already offers 28 vhb courses online, which were used by other universities of applied sciences, especially during the corona semester, and were applied in teaching. The notification of the vhb's support of € 182,000, which corresponds to 20% of the total funding of the latest SMART vhb funding round, will further expand DIT's digital teaching. Over the coming months, a total of ten courses will be developed and, from the 2021/2022 winter semester onwards, will be made available via the SMART vhb platform. The online courses range from the introduction to programming with Python, Java programming, programming concepts, computer science concepts, hardware design, foundations of informatics, AI applications and logic in artificial intelligence to engineering mechanics, dynamics and risk management. The development of these new SMART vhb projects is organised by Prof Dr Dr Heribert Popp, vhb representative of the unversity and project manager Dr-Ing Monica Ciolacu.
At DIT, the vhb representative, Prof Popp, has been substituting 50% of teaching in all his modules with digital teaching for 13 years now. In his digital course, he tested artificial intelligence (AI) methods by which digital teaching materials adapt to the level of knowledge of the students at the beginning of the course. Popp also uses an AI-based early warning system in his vhb courses, which sends a warning e-mail to students at risk. As a result, the failure rate could be almost halved.
The SMART vhb platform manages online learning units that can be flexibly integrated into the students' own teaching. These digital learning units start with the learning goals and are composed of different materials such as videos, text elements, self-tests or simulations.
Founding team of the Startup Campus of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) receives an EXIST founding grant of € 117,000 for the idea of the agricultural robot SEPP.
The idea is simple and ingenious: a robot that takes care of the domestic vegetable garden. The useful helper will make it easier for garden owners who do not have the time to regularly water or weed their garden. This is the vision of Andreas Stockinger and his two founding colleagues Niklas Rohne and Martin Seidl. With this idea, the team approached the DIT's Startup Campus and, with its support, received an EXIST start-up grant.
Supported by the scholarship in the amount of € 117,000, the prospective founders now have twelve months to turn the vision of the agricultural robot SEPP into a marketable product. During the development of the robot, the construction of the first prototypes up to the planning of a serial production, the founding team can count on the support of DIT and its Startup Campus, no matter if it is the solution of technical problems or the production of single metal components. If everything goes according to plan, home gardeners can hope for a significant reduction in workload because of SEPP for the 2022 gardening season.
The founders will be supported by their mentor Prof Dr Wolfgang Dorner and the DIT Startup Campus. The team of founders will move into the Startup Lab of the Startup Campus as their workplace during the funding period. The DIT's Startup Campus supports students, employees and alumni of the university in all phases of a business start-up.
The EXIST founding scholarship is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy and the European Social Fund. In addition to students, the scholarship also supports graduates and scientists who want to implement their founding idea with a business plan.
There was a lot to discover, explore and build again this year during the holiday programme of the STEM project at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT). There was a great rush for the three events. In addition to the regular dates, two more dates were offered.
The holiday programme started with the "Planetary researchers". Here, 20 girls between the ages of eight and ten used the opportunity to use Lego WeDo to build the small Mars probe "Milo". First of all, they took a close look at the solar system and puzzled over what a robot like this must be able to do in order to be sent on a Mars mission. Terms like solar panels, cameras, gripper arms and transmitters came into play here. After construction, the little Mars robot was set in motion by means of graphic programming. To enable the robot to detect obstacles and send signals to Earth, sensors were installed and programmed accordingly. The participating girls worked with great dedication, resulting in very creative robot designs.
The second holiday programme was under the motto "Build yourself an artifical hand". The approximately 20 students, ages 12 to 14 years, were given the taks of designing and building an artificial hand made of Lego Spike Prime parts. A large number of components, sensors and motors were available for this. The creative and fully functioning robot hands and gripper arms were tested in action by means of graphic programming.
During the all-day programme "Get to know the exciting world of computer science", the pupils from grade 8 onwards had the possibility to program a text-based Lego-Mindstorm robot. In the second part of the programme, an app was developed which can be used to control the robot. In between, there were exciting discussions about the use of robots. In addition, the students used the opportunity to exchange their own experiences in the field of virtual teaching and learning through the Internet with students.
The DIT holiday programme always takes place during the summer holidays and most other school holidays and is aimed at students with an interest in STEM topics. The programme is organised and carried out by the STEM project of the university. This summer the organisers Tanja Zellner and Anna-Katharina Kaiser were actively supported by Irina Sigl, media technology student.
On September 8th, the intensive language courses at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) will start again. External interested people are also welcome to improve their language skills, as there are still places available for one-week courses!
Whether Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, Business English or Russian, DIT offers beginner and practice courses for numerous languages. They will probably consist of virutal sessions and self-study phases, depending on the situation. The language courses are offered over a period of three weeks, with one course lasting one week and comprising a total of 30 teaching units. The courses take place on weekdays, from Monday to Friday. The course fee for pupils, apprentices and students (also from other universities) is € 39, for all other participants € 120. On the last day of the language course is a final examination, with the passing of which the participants receive a certificate of the language level achieved.
Interested people can find the exact course offer and all other important information about the intensive language courses at https://www.th-deg.de/en/students/language-electives#intensive-courses
Registration is possible via e-mail to the DIT language centre: sprachenzentrum@th-deg.de
The European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) invited its partners from Bad Birnbach to the campus as part of the joint INTERREG project "Network for Health Tourism in Forests".
For a joint update on the Bad Birnbach pilot region and the coordination of further steps, the lead partner ECRI warmly welcomed the Bad Birnbach delegation consisting of Director Viktor Gröll from the spa administration, as well as the newly elected mayor Dagmar Feicht and her Managing Director Kurt Tweraser from the municipality to the campus on Friday, 31 July.
In addition to discussing and coordinating the current project, host Dean Prof Dr Steckenbauer and his team also took the opportunity to show the guests from Bad Birnbach the new campus building Sustainability and Innovation Lab Centre (SILC) and especially the techniqual equipment of the new tourism laboratory.
ECRI's expertise and the training of its students in the field of "health sciences", "tourism" and "sustainable construction" quickly led to the identification of many other points of contact for joint projects and cooperation with the thermal spa town of Bad Birnbach - synergies for both sides which they would like to make greater use of in future.
As one of the five specific pilot regions, the municipality of Bad Birnbach is a partner in the "INTERREG Project AB291 - Network for Health Tourism in Forests", in which ECRI has taken on the role of lead partner in Pfarrkirchen. Other pilot regions in the project area between Bavaria and Atria are Neureichenau, Braunau - Simbach, Traunsee - Almtal and Tennengau.
In an interdisciplinary, cross-border project consortium consisting of a total of 14 well-known partners, this ambitious project approaches the subject are of "forests, health and tourism" from various perspectives and jointly develops sustainable approaches in the five pilot regions on how local forests and associated natural areas can be used for health tourism.
If you want to study at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) from the winter semester onwards, you should make your choice now. The application period ends on 20 August, 2020. Until then, everything is possible.
Due to the corona pandemic and the late graduation from high school, the application period for studying at DIT and its English-speaking European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) in Pfarrkirchen has been extended this year. But in just under three weeks, time will run out. Only a few days ago, Science Minister Bernd Sibler announced the modalities for the winter semester. Of course, this is always subject to the current infection situation. However, the goal is to start the semester as analogue as possible; after the summer semester has been completely digital. At DIT, as at many other universities, priority is given to first year students. "It is especially important for first-year students to get used to their university and campus. Presence is simply the most important part", says DIT's president Prof Dr Peter Sperber. He is very much looking forward to welcoming new students to his university. First semester day is 1 October, 2020.
Until then, however, it is time for all those who are undecided: Check the course offerings and apply. DIT offers an enormously broad portfolio ranging from successful classics, such as Business Administration, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, to new courses of study, such as E-Mobility, Artificial Intelligence or Nursing. At ECRI, an English only Campus, the focus lies on Tourism Management, Digital Health, Engineering and Healthy and Sustainable Construction. All embedded in a strong network of regional and supra-regional research and diverse cooperation with numerous partners from the industry. These are the best conditions for a successful career. Here you go: https://www.th-deg.de/en/apply .
Nothing we wear on our bodies is more contaminated with viruses and bacteria than our mobile phones. "CuCase", a start-up from the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) launched a smartphone case that addresses this very problem. The special thing about it is that the copper alloy used is also effective against the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus.
Antibacterial mobile phone sleeves are already available. No surprise! We touch our smartphones up to 2,500 times per day, on wich an average of 100 different types of bacteria are found - not counting viruses. A market with growth potential. "Our phone case consists of a special copper alloy," explains Dennis Gerdts, inventor of the product and responsible for research and development at CuCase. "Copper," says the 24-year-old, "is one of the most effective materials in the fight against pathogenic germs. It eliminates more than 99% of bacteria." And it eliminates other microbes like the corona virus. Previous products do not have this important feature. Besides, their antibacterial effect diminishes over time. Due to the so-called halo effect of copper, which leads to up to 70% less microbes (viruses, bacteria and germs) settling in the immediate vicinity, the touch screen is also less contaminated when using a CuCase.
The Deggendorf-based company CuCase is still the only one in the world to pursue this approach - almost. Because the competition never sleeps. "At Vanderbuilt University in the USA are three students who are as far advanced as we are," reveals Gerdts. That's why we have to hurry. On 15 July, the distribution is finally supposed to get under way. For the market entry, most Apple iPhones will be covered first. However, other models are to follow soon. You buy the cases via the website of the Deggendorf start-up (www.cucase.de) and a few weeks later also via Amazon. Compared to conventional cases, the prices are in the middle segment. There is a special offer for the market launch. Also interesting: with every purchase of a CuCase you support Ärzte ohne Grenzen (Doctors without borders) in the fight against corona.
Besides Gerdts, Anton Dobler (25) and Marco Jülke (28) are also shareholders and managing directors of CuCase. Dobler, a prospective Master's graduate at DIT in Technology Management, is the Marketing and Sales Manager and sees himself as an interface between the economic and technical areas. Jülke, a graduate in Economics, is responsible for finances, administration, production and logistics. All three can look back on numerous practical experiences in renowned industrial companies and on well-known internet platforms.
The Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) is intensifying its foundation work. The thematic focus on start-up and start-up culture is to be expanded and the range of courses on offer, which up to now has mainly addressed students, is to be expanded. The team of DIT's Startup Campus has had almost € 900,000 at its disposal since April. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research supports the university's plan to promote entrepreneurial talent.
The Startup Campus team wants to create more start-ups and thus up to 1000 more high-tech jobs in the Deggendorf area in the next 10 years. Alfon Weinzierl says: "The work of the Startup Campus has so far been a cross-sectional function for many players in addition to their actual jobs and has been performed on top. With the successful project award we now also receive the necessary means and resources to take the DIT's start-up culture to the next level". According to Weinzierl, in comparison to the current situation, the Startup Campus will not only supervise the start-up and entrepreneurship teaching and student teams, but will also become a university-wide institution that is a contact point and home for founders at a central location and radiates into the rural region via the Technology Campuses. In future, the team will also be available to employees of the university. True to the motto "Wake up the founder in you!", everyone is invited to contact the Startup Campus team and develop their founding idea.
Many individual measures will now be implemented step by step. As a first necessary step, the team of DIT Startup Campus sees the development and renting of suitable premises close to the university to create a Startup Lab. Furthermore, it is planned to initiate a university incubator programme for the pre-foundation phase for university members, with which the university can then also financially support projects.
Since 2002, the university has successively built up its profile as a start-up university. Over the years, numerous successful business start-ups, activities and qualification offers have resulted, so that in 2017, the team of Startup Campus was finally formed from the Institute for Business start-ups of DIT as a central contact point. In the recently published WURI ranking, the university has attracted positive attention, particularly because of its start-up culture. The university can further strengthen its activities through the StartupLab@FH funding measure "Entrepreneurial thinking and scientific entrepreneurial spirit - freedom for research and start-ups at universities of applied sciences" of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
On Tuesday, 28 July, representatives of the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) met with the managing director of the Euregio office in Freyung, Kaspar Sammer, and the European Commission’s expert for territorial cooperation, Dirk Peters, to plan further steps of the European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC).
During the campus tour at the ECRI, the guests were able to see for themselves the first university in Germany to be approved as an EGTC. The next steps were then discussed with President Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber, Head of Campus Prof. Dr. Horst Kunhardt, Dean Prof. Dr. Georg Christian Steckenbauer and University Coordinator Georg Riedl.
The main topics were the planned kick-off event in autumn together with the founding members of the EGTC, the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria and the Salzburg-based Alma Mater Europea, and the establishment and development of the EGTC in general. The main focus was to fill the existing structure with life in the future and to advance the goal of ECRI as a pioneer in bringing nations together. This underlines again ECRI's own claim to peacefully unite people of different nationalities under one roof, emphasised Dean Prof. Steckenbauer.
With the EGTC, ECRI is not only more visible within the EU, but can also cooperate with other institutions across borders more easily than before. For this reason, the discussion focused on universities in other EU countries as future partners of the EGTC and the intention to establish and expand this partnership in the coming years. In this context, events on politics, economics and culture are also planned at ECRI in Pfarrkirchen, which will transport the "European spirit" to the region and convey European values to students.
According to Euregio Managing Director Kaspar Sammer, the fact that the international campus is widely perceived positively by the population deserves special attention. This shows that the concept of territorial cooperation through the EGTC at ECRI is the proper step into the future.
The EGTC is an instrument of the EU, which serves to promote cross-border, transnational or interregional cooperation within the EU. The EGTC acts as a legal entity and usually has members from at least two EU Member States, who define the objectives and tasks of the EGTC in a cooperation agreement.
The most recent participants of the Silicon Valley Program of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) began their exciting nine-month journey in mid-July. They want to bring a business idea to the market and learn how to do it with help from the Silicon Valley Program. The role model is the Silicon Valley start-up scene in California, where the journey will continue for a week at the end of the certificate programme.
The eight groups laid the foundation for marketing their projects during the introductory week. Each project group got to know their mentor from Santa Clara University in Silicon Valley, California, via video conference. The American elite university has been a partner in the certificate programme since the beginning. Over the next nine months, the project groups will contact their mentors once a month via video conference and present the progress of their work. Prof Peter Schmieder, founder of the programme, and Alexander Dorn will support them in this process. In addition, the participants will be provided with working documents online via a learning platform.
The airm of the programme is to make the teams or their business ideas eligible for investment. The participants will be supervised until the final pitches, which will take place in March 2021 at Santa Clara University if the corona situation allows it. Often, howver, is is only then that the participants really get started. If investors are found when their business plans are presented, the dream of their own company could quickly come true, like it has for many previous participants.
The documentary film "Neighbours - 5 Encounters with Residents of Ankerzentrum Deggendorf" ("Nachbarn - 5 Begegnungen mit Bewohnern des Ankerzentrums Deggendorf" in German) by Deggendorf Institute of Technology's (DIT) Media Production master students has been awarded at the Bavarian Children & Youth Film Festival. All eight winning films were announced on Saturday. "Neighbours" received the special award "Democracy" endowed with € 500. Patroness of the festival founded in 1989 is Carolina Trautner. the Bavarian Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs.
Since January 2015, there has been an initial reception facility in Deggendorf for asylum seekers. In 2018, it was converted to what is called an anchorage centre. The filmmakers of the master's programme wanted to know who the people are who live there. In cooperation with the Caritasverband for the Landkreis Deggendorf e.V. they have had conversations with the residents about their lives. This resulted in a video project under the direction of Prof Jens Schanze. The 33-minute film from 2019 consists of five short portraits. Due to the award of the Lower Bavarian Youth Film Prize 2019, the documentary qualified for the Bavarian Children & Youth Film Festival.
The jury there said: "The award for democracy goes to a film which caused a long discussion among the jury; perhaps it was created to do exactly that. It's a film that needs to be dealt with in dialogue, which needs the discussion and is the initiator of thought and because it does this, we find it worthy of an award and an important contribution to democracy." The award ceremony was held last week in a small round on the campus in Deggendorf. During the encounter week (Woche der Begegnung) in October 2020, "Neighbours" can be seen again at the Deggendorf cinema.
What exactly is Artificial Intelligence, also known as AI? In which way does AI influence our future, in Lower Bavaria, in the Bavarian Forest, or maybe even in Deggendorf. Prof Patrick Glauner from the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) can tell us more about it.
Scientists found out, primal fears are connected to AI: surveillance, enslavement, loss of uniqueness/exceptionalism, as well as the end of free will. "Exaggerated", that's what Prof Glauner calls it, when you're talking about the end of free will, just because people follow the algorithms through internet or media ads. People will not be replaced by robots in the near future. But somehow, artificial intelligence seems to have escaped from blockbuster movies, like the genie from the bottle. The movies that gave us goosbumpbs: The Matrix, Minority Report or the Fritz Lang classic Metropolis from 1927 - one of the most important pieces in film art history.
"We've been able to use AI for pattern recognition in radiological diagnostics. A great enrichment for our healthcare in oncology," said Glauner, referring to a prime example of beneficial AI developments. In addition to a whole range of other applications already available today, artificial intelligence could certainly one day include all the useful connections between the unmanageable scientific disciplines and make them visible and usable again. The polymath from antiquity no longer exists. What does a virologist even know about AI, what does a computer scientist know about viruses? Certainly not enough. And those who don't know anything must believe everything. The data is here. More than enough, big data in fact. And big data is the food for meaningful AI.
Patrick Glauner has been a professor for artificial intelligence since the age of 30. Previously, he worked at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva and at Krones AG, among others. He has been working on artificial intelligence for ten years, most recently in particular on AI innovation management. In spring 2020 he published a book on this subject in cooperation with the Springer-Verlag: "Innovative Technologies for Market Leadership: Investing in the Future".
The European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) is making history with the approval of the "European Campus of Studies and Research" as a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) as the only EGTC in Bavaria in the university sector.
The approval of the EGTC by the Government of the Upper Palatinate makes it easier for the university and its founding members, the Upper Austrian University of Applied Sciences (FH OÖ) and the Alma Mater Europea in Salzburg, to cooperate across European borders. More precisely, the EGTC makes it easier to submit European project applications in the higher education sector and thus to obtain funding, as Bavarian State Minister for Education and Culture, Bernd Sibler, points out.
For Professor Horst Kunhardt, head of the ECRI, the approval of the EGTC means that exchanges of students and professors with other universities will be strengthened, courses of study can be developed together with other universities and the exchange of knowledge will be promoted. This will make it easier in future to launch initiatives and research projects together. In particular, cooperation with other universities is an essential part of ECRI and is now gathering momentum.
As MEP Manfred Weber, who supported the project of campus leader Prof. Kunhardt and university coordinator Georg Riedl from the outset, emphasises, the EGTC will in future be of greater importance when it comes to cross-border projects and European funding. As a result, ECRI will be much more visible within the EU and will be increasingly perceived as a brand.
The EGTC is an instrument of the EU, which serves to promote cross-border, transnational or interregional cooperation within the EU. The EGTC acts as a legal entity and usually has members from at least two EU member states, who define the objectives and tasks of the EGTC in a cooperation agreement.
With the still valid hygiene measures in place, but a lot of motivation, the first lecture at the Technology Campus in Hutthurm started on Monday, June 8, 2020.
As a university of applied sciences, DIT's research work is always rooted in real-life cases. Since 2009, DIT has successively established 11 Technology Campuses in the neighbouring districts around Deggendorf where staff and students develop innovative solutions or products. All projects have the financial backing of businesses who aim to immediately integrate research results into their company structures or production lines to improve their products or manufacturing efficiency.
Nine students from different universities were able to attend the lecture of the scientific campus director Prof. Dr. Mathias Hartmann. With sufficient safety distance and hygiene measures in place, nothing stood in the way of the long-awaited attendance event.
The Technology Campus (TC) Hutthurm focuses on innovative solutions in plastics technologies and establishes efficiency through process development, lightweight construction and materials research.
The whole team at the TC is happy that the event could take place despite the current situation.
Deggendorf Institute of Technology’ impact is impressive at the newly introduced WURI (Worlds Universities with Real Impact) ranking, especially in the categories “Entrepreneurial Spirit” (Rank 8, worldwide) and “Student Mobility and Openness” (Rank 26, worldwide). DIT has achieved rank 43 in overall placings and is therefore within the top 50 most innovative universities worldwide, only beaten by the world’s most well-known universities such as Princeton, Berkeley, University of Tokyo, Stanford, Harvard or the MIT.
The WURI ranking is a new system, which evaluates universities’ innovation and sustainable values. Four criteria are in use for the evaluation.
Firstly, practical industrial success is valued, not the amount of scientific publications. Secondly, start-ups initiated by the universities, not entries of graduates into the working market, are important. Thirdly, social responsibility, ethical standards and integrity have a higher place in the ranking than the sole focus on pure knowledge and material success. Finally, mobility of students and the intellectual and academic cooperation across borders is taken into consideration.
DIT could score in all criteria. DIT president Prof. Peter Sperber stated, “Of course, this ranking doesn’t replace the traditional ratings, which rely especially on research performance and the classic methods of knowledge transfer.” But it’s a very important addition. Especially in worldwide times of crises and global discussions about equality and discrimination. “Entrepreneurship and open-mindedness are very important criteria for young people. We’re on the right track,” Sperber adds.
Until the end of the school year, schools can still register with the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) for the first virtual workshop of the STEM team. Under the motto “Everybody should have programmed once”, the STEM promotion started last October with the associated workshop offer, which is now being offered in an optimised version via video conference. From their own homes, pupils from the eighth grade onwards can programme an application for smartphones themselves. They are guided by students from the university.
Students from the secondary schools in Landau and Grafenau were the first to test the workshop at the Girls’Day Academy. Using the AppInventor platform from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), they developed and designed their own Android-enabled app and tested it directly on their own cell phones. Organiser Tanja Zellner is convinced of the virtual format: “The Girls’Day Academy is a great programme for female students who want to really try their hand at technology and science. Our 90-minute virtual workshop concept was a perfect fit for this.”
But not only participants of the Girls’Day Academy can programme with the MIT AppInventor for the first time, the workshop is offered to all school classes from the eighth grade upwards in the region. Interested teachers can now contact the STEM promotion team by email at mint@th-deg.de. According to Tanja Zellner, all that is needed is an appointment and the appropriate equipment, and off you go.
To enable the workshop to take place virtually, the STEM team was supported by tourism management student, Celine Münz. Together they made the programme fit for use on Microsoft teams. As a tutor, she is now looking forward to implementing the proven workshop concept in the virtual version: “We tutors are looking forward to many groups of students who want to take advantage of the offer before the end of the school year. The MIT AppInventor makes it possible to programme your own apps in a playful way, without requiring previous knowledge and the basics of a programming language”. In the meantime, the Association of STEM regions of the Körber foundation has also expressed its support for the workshop as a best practice example.
The Journal of Destination Marketing & Management (JDMM) awarded a paper submitted in collaboration with Professor Dr. Herntrei of the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) as Highly Commended Paper in its 2019 edition. The same paper has already won the price for “Best Scientific International Publication” at the Dies Academicus of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT).
The JDMM received well over 500 submissions for its latest issue and after a close assessment of the papers, the jury awarded the paper “Cooperative resorts: An analysis of creative integration strategies in community destinations” as Highly Commended Paper in its 2019 edition. The awarded paper is a collaboration of ECRI’s Dr. Marcus Herntrei with Dr. Michael Volgger of Curtin University (Australia), Dr. Harald Pechlaner of Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt (Germany) and manager in the tourism sector, Sabine Pichler, MSc. (Italy).
The paper not only introduces, but also empirically analyses cooperative resorts and their form of alliance. In addition, it analyses leadership on the destination level and argues that cooperative resorts indeed can promote leadership. It considers an increase in power imbalances and critically analyses negative impacts.
The JDMM is a quality publication in the domain of destination marketing and management that seeks to develop a robust theoretical understanding of destination marketing and management. Each year the JDMM selects and awards one paper with the Best Paper Award and two papers with the Highly Commended Paper Award. In celebration of the winners, the three winning papers are available on free-access basis until the end of 2020 on the JDMM’s website.
The new ZEIT study guide 2020/2021 with results of the CHE university ranking has been available since the beginning of May. Once again, students have also evaluated study courses at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT). The latest results can be found in the subjects Business Administration, Economics, Business Informatics, Industrial Engineering and Management and Organisational and Economic Psychology.
Especially the results for Organisational and Economic Psychology should be interesting. This year, they were included in the CHE university ranking for the first time. At DIT, students rated the library equipment and the support for studying abroad in this subject as very good. But DIT's ranking is also very impressive in all other categories and courses of study. In the current issue of the Zeit Studienführer and on Zeit online, earlier results in the subjects civil engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, nursing science, technical physics and environmental engineering can also be found. The ZEIT Studienführer is a popular accompanying medium for choosing a course of study. From choosing the right subject, through the application phase to the start of your studies, you will find a lot of information for a successful start into the future.
In the run-up to the International Scientific Symposium DigiHealthDay-2020 hosted by the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI), the organizers offer a range of attractive pre-meeting workshops. Due to the current lockdown the on site workshops were converted into virtual ones and are now open for registration.
The next upcoming workshop is about “Data Integration and Interoperability” and will take place from May 11 to 13. The three-day workshop will be hosted by ECRI graduate Jonathan Okereke, Assistant Head of the Medical Data Integration Center, MeDIC, and Platform Architect (SOA) at University Medical Center Cologne, and the ECRI research associates Fernando Portilla and Samir Irshaid.
There is also a one-day workshop called “Introduction to Amazon Web Services” taking place on May 18. This workshop will be hosted by Florian Hettenbach, Technical Trainer of Amazon Web Services.
The workshops are free of charge and registration is mandatory. For more information on the different pre-meeting events and to register for the virtual workshops please visit the homepage www.th-deg.de/digihealthday.
The DigiHealthDay-2020 is scheduled to take place on November 13. The organizers are following the current situation with COVID-19, and in case of any changes, all registered participants will promptly be notified.
Everyone with an interest in Digital Health such as researchers, healthcare professionals, businesses and start-ups, authorities or students is invited to participate in ECRI’s DigiHealthDay-2020 and the pre-meeting workshops. For further information about the event, please visit the homepage www.th-deg.de/digihealthday.
The lack of equipment is currently hitting medical personnel in the region hard. Here, the Technology Campus and the laboratories of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) provided a remedy within a week by producing holders for face shields from the 3D printer. On 1 April, DIT received an inquiry from the Bavarian Red Cross Cham for the production of face shields. As a result, DIT developed two designs for holders (in consultation with the Deggendorf Clinic) and subjected them to a feasibility study on the same day. Subsequently, an appeal was made via Facebook to companies in the region. Companies that have a 3D printer contacted DIT and have been supporting production ever since.
Production of the brackets began on 2 April and five days later the prototypes of the two designs produced were handed over to the chief physician of the Donau Isar Klinikum, Dr. Axel Menzebach and his team, and tested by them. A few hours later, the first 200 units were delivered to the clinic. Currently, seven external partners are working on the production with 3D printers and produce 200 holders for face shields every day. To be able to meet the constantly high demand, DIT is expanding the project to include injection moulding at its labs. In no time at all, a protective film, for example from projectors, can be attached to the brackets produced by DIT and its partners and the face shield is ready. The holder is reusable and durable.
Due to the expanded ban of major events caused by COVID-19, our open air festival headlined by "Pizzera and Jaus" and "Moop Mama" can unfortunately not take place in June as planned. But there's good news for all ticket holders, as replacement dates for both "Stadt Land Fluss" Campus Open Air gigs have already been fixed.
At the end of 2020, the Austrians "Pizzera and Jaus" will play in Deggendorf town hall on Monday November 23, 2020. The brass band "Moop Mama" will make up their performance at the 2021 campus festival which will take place as usual on the long weekend around Corpus Christi. "Moop Mama" will play on Saturday June 5, 2021.
Tickets that have already been purchased remain valid for the replacement dates. Enquiries about tickets can be directed to Power Concerts at ck@power-concerts.de. No ticket exchanges can currently be accepted. Tickets can still be purchased.
On April 15, the application period for the winter semester 2020/21 at the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI) begins. From this date on prospective students can apply online for one of the coveted study places.
With a total of seven courses of study in the fields of tourism management, medical informatics and engineering, the international campus offers an extensive range of courses for internationally oriented students.
High school graduates can apply for the Bachelor's degree programme International Tourism Management / Health & Medical Tourism, which received an award by the European Spa Association (ESPA) for its innovative study programme. Furthermore, they can choose between the two Bachelor's degree programmes Health Informatics and Industrial Engineering. The upcoming winter semester introduces the Bachelor’s degree programme Energy Systems Engineering (ESE), a new future-oriented course of studies.
The study programme ESE trains future engineers for energy systems engineering. Students will be trained for addressing the current challenges of the energy sector and its transformation from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, involved in a range of areas such as power generation, conversion, transport, usage and storage. Since the future of energy supply networks lies in digitization and artificial intelligence, students will focus on computer science as well as chemistry, physics and electrical engineering. In addition, the study program contains subjects such as renewable energies, sustainability, and energy network technology or energy storage in combination with several practical projects. This particular combination prepares students perfectly for their career entry after graduation. Trained engineers for energy system technology will drive the energy turnaround towards renewable energies, be it in the public sector, in energy supply companies, in industry or in planning offices.
ECRI also offers Master’s degree programmes in Healthy and Sustainable Buildings, International Tourism Development and Medical Informatics.
With English as the language of instruction, ECRI is the only exclusively English-speaking campus in Bavaria. This makes studying at ECRI in Pfarrkirchen particularly attractive for internationally oriented prospective students, to whom all doors are open after graduation.
DIT awards German Academic Exchange Service Award
Iris Kongo from Albania was particularly pleased on Monday, June 24 during a ceremony at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT). University President Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber and the head of the International Office, Lisa Werner, awarded the student with an award from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). This award recognizes outstanding achievements of foreign students at German universities.
Iris Kongo studies Tourism Management at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology. She grew up in Tirana, the capital of Albania and even at an early age, she was positive that she would like to study in Germany at some point. The love for the German language and her fascination for tourism helped Ms. Kongo decide to study Tourism Management in Deggendorf.
In her commendation, Lisa Werner praised the young woman as incredibly committed, as she has worked in various student associations as well as a student assistant. She never neglects her studies and has excellent grades to show for it while she maintains versatile contacts inside and outside the university. Iris Kongo is an exemplary ambassador of her native country of Albania and an outstanding representative of the growing international student body at the Deggendorf University.
Picture: University President Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber and the head of the International Office, Lisa Werner (l.), Awarded Iris Kongo the Prize of the German Academic Exchange Service 2019.
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German-Egyptian Conference with guest speaker from European Campus Rottal-Inn
02.07.2019 | DIT PR - From 16-17 June the 1st COSIMENA Meta-Conference on "Digital Development and Challenges in the MENA Region" took place in Cairo, Egypt. Anna Schmaus-Klughammer (LLB, hons), lecturer at the European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI), was invited to speak at the Health Cluster Session.
COSIMENA brings together scientists from Germany and Egypt. In her lecture "Digitization in Higher Education to improve Healthcare", Schmaus-Klughammer therefore also introduced the Deggendorf University of Technology (THD) and ECRI.
During the conference, Schmaus-Klughammer also met with Prof. Mahmoud El Tayeb of Nile Valley University (in the process of being founded) in Egypt to discuss a scientific project on "Improving health care in Egypt with the help of eHealth and telemedicine". The talks were preceded in 2018 by a visit of Prof. El Tayeb to the THD and a return visit to Egypt. During his stay at DIT, Prof. El Tayeb met with President Prof. Peter Sperber and ECRI Vice President and Campus Director Prof. Horst Kunhardt as well as Dr. Elise von Randow, Director of the Institute for Career, International Affairs and Language. Isabell Mering, Head of DAAD Offices in Cairo, was very pleased about this development.
Within the framework of COSIMENA, the DAAD Cairo Office organizes various interdisciplinary events on current topics in science and innovation. These include workshops, conferences, discussions, German Science Day, the COSIMENA Science Night and summer schools. The aim of the various activities is to bring together experts from science, trade, politics and society. The focus is particularly on the promotion and support of young scientists who benefit from the networking opportunities.
Picture: Anna Schmaus-Klughammer (left) at the COSIMENA Conference with Isabell Mering (right), Head of the DAAD Office in Cairo
Ländertage shows our students study and internship opportunities around the globe
Students aiming to go global for a study or internship semester must plan far in advance, leaving for an adventure in the winter semester 2019/2020 or the summer semester 2020 involves active preparation now! Our Ländertage informed over 200 interested students about the opportunities involved.
Ländertage started on 17th October with the USA and Canada. College Contact agency advised students about funding their semester abroad, before students described their fascinating experiences during study and internship semesters in Chicago, San Diego and Vancouver.
This was followed by country days (Ländertage) for Asia and the Pacific region with Gostralia! agency. Students who had already completed a semester or internship abroad in this part of the world reported about their experiences, showed impressive photos and hopefully aroused participants desire for adventure to the southern hemisphere.
The last event in the week was the most popular, as the topic was Europe and the ERASMUS programme, which is worldwide the largest student exchange programme worldwide. Students presented their time in Finland, Spain, the UK, Austria and the Island of Aruba, which is a popular part of the ERASMUS programme as it's Dutch territory, despite being an island in the Caribbean.
Students with international experience all agreed: a semester abroad is highly recommended. It is an unforgettable experience!
Photo (DIT): Student Lukas Fuller presents his experience in Canada at the University of Victoria.
“The system of support for academic teachers in process of shaping soft skills of their students”
The Erasmus+ KA2 project “The system of support for academic teachers in process of shaping soft skills of their students” is a strategic partnership, which involves 4 universities: University College of Enterprise and Administration (Poland), Instituto Politecnico De Setubal (Portugal), Mednarodna Fakulteta Za Druzbene In Poslovne Studije Zavod (Slovenia) and Deggendorf Institute Of Technology (Germany).
What is the aim of the strategic partnership in this project?
A strategic partnership aims to develop innovative, cross-country teaching and studying methods, as well as build effective networks for the university.
What are the goals and results of the project?
The project tries to combine standard teaching programs with new, attractive teaching methods aimed at supporting young people in the process of gaining soft skills. As soft skills are highly required competences by employers, the project intends to incorporate the teaching of these skills to programs of regular subjects taught by academic teachers in order to prepare young people for their future workplace properly.
Which role does DIT play in this project?
The task of our university is to deal with the topic of intercultural entrepreneurship and how we can incorporate intercultural aspects into regular classes. This includes the theme of multiculturalism: Why is it so important, which role does it play in the modern labour market and what does multicultural communication in the workplace mean. Furthermore, it deals with the topics of intercultural approaches to young employees and cultural differences in the workplace.
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Johann Nagengast
Tel.: +49 (0)991 3615-140
E-Mail: johann.nagengast@th-deg.de
04 October 2018 | DIT Public Relations
On 1 October, the new winter semester 2018/19 officially started at universities of applied sciences in Bavaria. The number of students at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology has risen to a new maximum of around 7,000. There have never been this many freshers and international students in Deggendorf.
For the 2370 freshers, the semester began with the First Semester Day, organized by the Student Association. There were numerous information stands on campus and the official first semester welcome was broadcast in several lecture halls and via live stream. As part of the welcoming speech, the students heard DIT President Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber, the Minister of Culture Bernd Sibler, the Lord Mayor Dr. Christian Moser and representatives of important departments for the students in the future. In order for the freshers to find their way, first-semester mentors are available in every course of study.
For the first time, the Bachelor's programme Technical Design and the Master's programme Mechatronic and Cyberphysical Systems are offered. The part-time Bachelor's degree course in Business Informatics is now focused on Data Science. A new or revised program of seminars, workshops and lectures is also available from Career Service. Registrations are now possible here.
DIT welcomes more than 100 new exchange students
On Thursday, 1 March, the so-called Orientation Week, where new international students are prepared for studying at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), started. Despite the high number of flights cancelled due to the cold weather, most of the 140 registered students managed to be here for the welcoming day.
The students were officially greeted by the head of economic promotion of Deggendorf Andreas Höhn and Dr. Elise von Randow, head of the Institute for Career, International and Languages at DIT. The trafitional Bavarian music ensemble of the Music Academy Plattling created Bavarian ambience as a backdrop for a motley crew of exchange students. Most exchange students are from Mexico and South Korea in this semester; however, there are also Taiwanese, Brazilian, Vietnamese, Czech, Portugese, Italian, French and Jordanian students at DIT for the summer semester 2018. A total of 99 nationalities studies at DIT and the university has 186 partner universities worldwide.
Among the Orientation Week participants is a group of Syrian refugees, who will spend a semester at DIT in preparation for regular studies in Germany. They will attend language courses and regular lectures. DIT's International Office created a programme for the following two weeks that is to help the new students assimilate in Deggendorf.
A team of student workers accompanies the international students and assists them in authority visits to ensure a smooth lecture start in mid March. German intensive courses and intercultural trainings focusing on Bavaria take place during Orientation Week, so that the best possible integration is ensured.
Furthermore, those students who would like to do an internship in Germany after their exchange semester, are prepared for the application process by the Career Service. The student association AKI planned leisure activities, such as a welcoming party, a traditional Bavarian evening as well as a trip to Neuschwanstein Castle.
Already on the first day, the International Office had positive feedback and the exchange students were glad about the heartfelt welcome and are looking forward to their time here in Deggendorf.
From Lower Bavaria to Ontario, Canada – Students benefit from Academic Cooperation
Around ten months after signing a cooperation contract, the connection between the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) and Lakehead University showed fruition. DIT student Michael Schneider spent his winter semester tuition-free at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada.
In summer 2017, DIT reported about an initiated close cooperation with the Canadian university. The agreement enables one DIT student per semester to studying tuition-fee-free at Lakehead. The fees would be at approximately €5500. Michael Schneider studies Industrial Engineering in a cooperative study programme. For his practical study phases, he is at Landau-based Einhell AG. In the winter semester 2017/2018, he was presented the opportunity to spend his semester abroad in Thunder Bay at Lakehead University. He chose this university from DIT’s more than 180 partner universities. “The university is perfect for engineering. The courses offered complement those at DIT, which made the exchange a lot easier. Additionally, the amazing location near the Great Lakes was a bonus. I’d definitely spend another semester there.”
Einhell AG was very supportive during the decision making and application process.
The tuition-free placements are already gone until summer semester 2019. In the coming winter semester, a student of Mechanical Engineering and in the summer semester 2019, a Business Informatics student will go to Lakehead University. In June, President Prof. Dr. Sperber is scheduled to fly to Ontario for further talks that will promote the partnership even more.
Photo (DIT)
Become an International Visiting Lecturer at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology or its European Campus in Pfarrkirchen
Would you like to take up a short time assignment and meet research agendas? Benefit both personally and academically: You have the chance to connect with other scholars, to build academic connections and to undertake teaching and research in a different location. It also provides you with an opportunity to learn about new cultures and further develop your intercultural competence.
Even though we would enjoy having the guest lecturer teaching in Germany, we understand that there are certain boundaries when it comes to teaching abroad. It may be a problem to be regularly absent at your home university. Therefore, as an alternative, we can also offer virtual classes.
The Deggendorf Institute of Technology puts a strong focus on internationalisation. The geographical location of both our campuses in Deggendorf and Pfarrkirchen is in beautiful Bavaria, a state which offers a variety of attractive leisure time activities in the middle of traditional cafés, restaurants and markets.
Guest lectures are possible among all our faculties on both campuses.
- Faculty of Applied Economics (School of Management)
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Media Technology and Computer Science
- Faculty of Natural Sciences and Industrial Engineering
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
- Faculty of Civil and Construction Engineering
- Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences
A teaching schedule would be welcome before arrival. The length of the teaching stay needs to have a minimum of five teaching hours and maximum of one month. Visiting lectureships must be arranged with the course director before the beginning of the semester, which must be no later than eight weeks before the planned guest lecture. Before the visiting professor is invited, the financing must be arranged with the International Office as well as the contractual matters settled with the Human Resource Department.
International guest lecturers not coming from one of our ERASMUS+ partner universities may qualify for a contribution towards travel costs and accommodation. These payments will be reimbursed against original receipts. Applications for Visiting Lecturers will comprise an academic CV and an abstract for the proposed lecture topic(s) (100-150 words).
Did we attract your interest?
If you require further information or would like to submit a CV and abstract, please contact us directly using antonia.gruber@th-deg.de.
For any further questions or other inquiries, you can also email international-office@th-deg.de at any time.
20 December 2017
Introducing international students to the country and the culture – DIT's Host Family Programme
DIT's Host Family Programme connects exchange students and local families every semester. As of now, 150 international students are looking for a host family for the winter semester 17/18.
In participating in the Host Family Programme, local families help students who are a long way from home to assimilate into their new environment and to quickly understand cultural differences. The programme is free and can be adjusted individually and flexibly by the hosts. "As a host family/person, you can meet up with one or more students once or several times. Often, students are invited for lunch or dinner and a short trip is planned together", as Ariadna Schmidt, staff member at DIT's International Office knows. Apart from their native language, the students speak English and many of them can communicate in German as well. Due to the increasing interest in the programme, families, individuals or associations from Deggendorf are needed. The goal is the connect every student to a host. Coordinator between the two parties is Marion Löfflmann, who will answer all questions via marion.loefflmann@th-deg.de
You can find more information in our HFP flyer here.
26 September 2017
Students from all over the world make their first experiences abroad in Germany
The Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) with its international study courses at the European Campus in Pfarrkirchen and in Deggendorf as well as with its many partner universities abroad, attracts students from more than 60 countries to Deggendorf every year. DIT’s International Office welcomed the more than 150 international students to Deggendorf on Monday, 18 September 2017.
The students spend one or two semesters at DIT as part of the international university partnerships. The first item on their travel itinerary is the Orientation Weeks, where the new arrivals get to know the town and each other. Furthermore, they have intercultural trainings held by Maria Gretzinger, a traditional Bavarian evening and day trips to the Oktoberfest.
Formalities, such as opening a bank account and registering with the foreigners’ office are also organised during the Orientation Weeks and the students are assisted by the International Office, the international tutors and the AKI e.V. student association. This year’s Orientation Weeks were kicked off by Dr. Elise von Randow, who is the director of the Institute for Career, International Affairs and Languages (KIS) at DIT.
Cathi Rodriguez from Colombia, who came to DIT two years ago after she became aware of DIT’s English courses can share her experiences.
“I came to Deggendorf because of the General Engineering course and stayed as a regular student in the Resources and Environmental Management course. I felt at home in Deggendorf right from the start and the Orientation Weeks were fantastic to start my studies off right.”
18 September 2017
International Office awarded Deggendorfer Hochschulpreis
On the occasion of the Dies Academicus, the graduation celebration at DIT, the International Office was awarded the Deggendorf Hochschulpreis 2016 by the mayor for its internationalization efforts.
Milestones of the success are, among others: the percentage of students from abroad is at 12% and 65 nationalities are studying at DIT and the European Campus. The number of partner universities worldwide has increased to 170. The International Office works closely together with the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst; DAAD) and the Bavarian Ministry for Education, Culture, Science and Art. It applies for scholarships and subsidies, is involved in various projects and continually expands its services for students. About a third of DIT graduates boast an internship or semester abroad.
The university's International Office has developed various integration programmes, such as the Erzählcafé, which is a regular event held in the town's museum to encourage intercultural dialogue through international students' telling personal stories, customs, and traditions from their home countries. The International Office is proud to successfully cooperate with the town's local community to help students from all over the world feel at home in Deggendorf. Multi-national students create an international atmosphere on campus, where English is lingua franca. Progress made in the internationalization process of natural sciences and technological subjects (STEM) were awarded the prestigious MINTernational Prize by the Daimler-Fonds in Berlin in October 2016.
18 September 2017
DIT’s part of the “Week of Encounters and Togetherness”
The Deggendorf Institute of Technology took part in the varied programme of Deggendorf’s “Week of Encounters and Togetherness”. Between 14 and 22 October DIT’s International Office organised three events to present the university’s international aspect.
A theatre with international students set of the event series on Tuesday, 17 October.
Together with students from India, Syria and Venezuela, Dr. Virginia Wallner, language instructor at DIT, showed how much internationality, openness and dialogue is in theatre. “The Flight across the Ocean” by Bertold Brecht matched the Week of Encounters and Togetherness’s and raised the question “Aren’t we all looking for a better world?”. On Wednesday, visitors had the opportunity to learn dances and meet people from different countries. Apart from Bollywood (India), salsa (Mexico) and flamenco (Spain), students also taught zori (Syria) and Qochari (Armenia).
According to International Office staff member Ariadna Schmidt, “everyone was particularly excited about the Festival of Lights (Diwali). About 20 students from India contributed to a successful evening by openly sharing their culture with visitors.” The Diwali was the highlight of the events. Diwali is the traditional Hindu Festival of Lights and Indian students turned the Glashaus into a sea of lights. With traditional clothes, dances, India’s national anthem, culinary specialties and a flash mob, students brought the fascination and magic of India to Deggendorf.
The next event by the International Office takes place 28 November at the Handwerksmuseum. You can find out more here:
23 October 2017
European Campus Excursion
Students of the Industrial Engineering/ Maintenance and Operation bachelor programme at the European Campus Rottal-Inn took part in an excursion to Mühlbauer GmbH & Co. KG‘s headquarters in Roding on 22 November 2016.
Christian Wachtmeister (contract teacher with the European Campus and Head of Corporate Development Automation at Mühlbauer) gave exciting insights into the processes of the internationally operating company to students from all around the world.
Mühlbauer GmbH & Co KG is a worldwide leading company in the production of machines for ID-card manufacturing. It is technology partner for the smart card, ePassport, RFID and solar back-end industry.
Several production processes were demonstrated: the Mühlbauer precision-part manufacturing, the logistics centre and demonstration rooms. There, the manufacturing of production plants for semiconductors, as well as the manufacturing of machines for ID-card production was demonstrated. After a short break at the canteen, the students received personalized passports and cards, in order to demonstrate technology for the collection of data.
Among the company’s clients are: governments from all over the world, printing departments of financial institutes (bank cards), insurance companies (health insurance cards) and companies from the field of semiconductors.
After having caught a glimpse into such an international company, the students were deeply impressed and excited.
(Caption: Christian Wachtmeister - second person from left
On the right - Prof. Dr. Raimund Brotsack
Next to students of the bachelor programme Industrial Engineering/ Maintenance and Operation)
Students of the Industrial Engineering/ Maintenance and Operation bachelor programme at the European Campus Rottal-Inn took part in an excursion to the Straubing-based company MicroPyros on 9 December 2016.
Prof. Raimund Brotsack gave the students from various regions around the world exciting insights into the technology and the processes of the start-up company.
As part of a “power to gas” concept, MicroPyros developed a micro-biological methanation technology. The goal is to convert excess electricity from fluctuating renewable energy sources, such as wind or photovoltaic plants, to storable natural gas. Excess electricity, occurring at certain times, is electrolytically converted to hydrogen. The hydrogen, together with carbon, is then converted into methane, which is the main component of natural gas. It can therefore be fed into the natural gas grid without any problems.
The necessary carbon dioxide comes from the Straubing sewage gas plant. MicroPyros runs a large-scale methanation plant on site in Straubing.
Part of the factory tour was the company’s laboratory with the corresponding quality management as well as the large-scale methanation plant.
The company plans to build a large-scale power to gas research plant. If the power to gas technology is successful, it enables the storing of large quantities of excess electricity throughout the year and distributing it via the natural gas grid. Power to gas technology, therefore, is an essential pillar for the change of energy systems. The work is subsidized by the Bavarian Economic Ministry.
After insights into such a start-up company in the field of renewable energy, the students were deeply impressed.
Warning, due to black ice, all exams (31.01.2017) and lectures at DIT and the European Campus are called off.
Scholarships at a value of €300,000 awarded
For the seventh time, the highly coveted Deutschlandstipendium were awarded to DIT scholarship holders. Against the backdrop of the “First Contact” job fair that took place 28 March 2017, the chosen scholarship holders met their patrons at the Deggendorf Stadthallen.
This year, DIT awarded a total of 80 scholarships and once again beat last year’s record.
“Regional and national companies as well as foundations and associations finance our scholarship holders. Because of the high number of scholarships, we are able to give scholarships to students of all courses. In return, the companies get in contact with outstanding marks and commitment,” said head of the DIT Career Service Martina Heim, who is responsible for the Deutschlandstipendium. For the Deutschlandstipendium, the patrons agree to support students with €150 per month and Germany adds another €150 to that. “With over 500 applicants, the choice wasn’t easy. All 80 scholarship holders have outstanding academic records and do voluntary work in over 100 social clubs and positions. In more than 50% of the cases, the scholarship holders are first in their families to take up studying (so called educational climbers). Around 10% study in cooperation with a company and another 10% are international students,” Heim added. Claudia Exner, who was one of the scholarship holders for Qioptiq said that she found it very appealing that not only grades are taken into account for the Deutschlandstipendium. Companies get the chance to network with DIT and address individual stundents.
Christina Zelzer, staff manager at Regen-based Qioptiq said: “Qioptiq has been financing Detschlandstipendium for many years and we are proud of our scholarship holders. It is a great opportunity for companies to meet the best of the best and attract their attention to the company.”
This year’s supporters are:
Alumni Net e. V., Bayerische Asphalt-Mischwerke GmbH & Co.KG, b-plus GmbH, Continental AG, DE software & control GmbH, Dichtungstechnik Wallstabe & Schneider, , Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH, , Flottweg SE, Ferchau Engineering GmbH, Förderverein Technische Hochschule Deggendorf in Verbindung mit der Stadt Deggendorf, HAAS Fertigbau, IGK Ingenieursgesellschaft Klein mbH, J.C. Römerstiftung, Kermi GmbH, Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzungsfahrzeuge GmbH, Laschinger Seafood GmbH, MAN Diesel & Turbo SE, MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH, Mann + Hummel GmbH, Micro Epsilon, msg ag, Parat Beteiligungs GmbH, Qioptiq Photonics GmbH & Co.KG, Siemens AG, Smurfit Kappa GmbH, STRABAG AG, SUMIDA Components & Modules GmbH, Vector Informatik GmbH, Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Technologiecampus Cham, Webasto-Edscha Cabrio GmbH, Zeidler-Forschungs-Stiftung, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZITEC Gruppe GmbH, Zwiesel Kristallglas AG
For the European Campus Rottal-Inn:
Egenberger GmbH & Co. KG, Förderverein European Campus Rottal-Inn, Dipl.-Ing. Josef Gottanka GmbH & Co. Bau-KG, Oswald Stiftung, RMI Immobilien GmbH, SH GmbH & Co. Projektentwicklungs KG, Sparkasse Rottal-Inn/Sparkassen Stiftung Rottal Inn, VR Bank Rottal-Inn eG, Wimmer GmbH & Co. Investitions KG
Main funders:
Alumni Net e. V. (4 Stipendien)
Flottweg SE (3 Stipendien)
Förderverein European Campus (4 Stipendien)
J.C.Römerstiftung (3 Stipendien)
Sparkasse Rottal-Inn (3 Stipendien)
VR Bank Rottal-Inn eG (3 Stipendien)
Vector Informatik GmbH (5 Stipendien)
The KULTURcafé in Pfarrkirchen enjoyed a successful start
“What do you know about Nigeria?” Benedict Chika Ibolekwu asked the audience at the beginning of his talk. Fitting to the occasion, the Industrial Engineering student wore a multicoloured shirt from his home country. Using the motto “My Country and Germany” the European Campus launched Pfarrkirchen's first KULTURcafé in the "Glasbau" in April.
Apart from students, some locals who are curious to know more about the wide world, where Benedict und his fellow student Saei Barghamadi (Iran) und Nhan Bui (Vietnam) come from, attended the event.
At three tables each of the three young men talked about thier native countries and their experiences in Germany. Every 30 minutes visitors move from table to table so they had the possibility to listen to either of the speeches in a comfortable atmosphere. English skills were absolutely necessary because not everyone’s German was good enough to follow the whole conversation or to give a talk..
The KULTURcafé is firmly planned for the future, and an upcoming event will take place on 31st May in the Glasbau in Pfarrkirchen. From 6 – 8 pm students from other countries will introduce themselves and talk about their cultures.
Whoever wants to join can register for a fee of 3€ to Katharina Stöger (EC room 2.20, +49 (0) 991 3615 -261).
DIT receives prestigious award for international MINT (STEM) strategy
The MINT team of the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) is at Germany’s absolute pinnacle. As one of three finalists, DIT was awarded the Best Performance MINTernational prize in Berlin in October 2016. DIT President Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber and Dr. Elise von Randow, director of the Institute for International and Academic Affairs accepted the 30.000 euros prize money awarded to the DIT for its outstanding accomplishments in internationalizing natural sciences and technological courses (STEM).
The Daimler and Benz Foundation, the Daimler-Fonds and the Stifterverband have awarded DIT wi
th the best Best Performance Prize MINTernational. Three universities which were able to show the most significant progress in the internationalization of MINT subjects (in English MINT is known as STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) received the award.
It is a great honor for the DIT to have convinced the jury together with two major German universities, namely TUM (Technische Universitaet Muenchen) and the Saarland University, Saarbruecken.
In the competition relevant indicators were taken into account, strategy as well as the universities environments were also evaluated. The universities were invited to document the development of the
internationalization of their STEM subjects until 31st October 2014 by using key figures of the year 2012. By the end of 2015, the participating institutions were asked to submit their updated key figures
along with a progress report.
The jury praised the enormous efforts and progress in the field of internationalization at DIT:
"The profile development of the university in recent years is characterized by marked internationality. The progress report documents a clear growth in all key figures, especially the number of international students. The growing participation in international mobility programmes such as the ERASMUS programme is also exemplary."
The photo shows from left to right:
Dr. Volker Meyer-Guckel, Stifterverband; Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber, President, Technische Hochschule Deggendorf; Dr. Elise von Randow, Director, Institute for International & Academic Affairs, Technische Hochschule Deggendorf; Dr. Anna-Maria Karl, Daimler AG; Prof. Dr. Rainer Dietrich, Daimler und Benz Stiftung