The cooperation agreement was signed in July 2022, the conversion plans at the Leipheim site were carried out quickly and just under a year later, on July 13, 2023, the new location of the "Systems Engineering" degree program in the Areal Digital - Digitales Gründerzentrum Areal pro was ceremoniously opened together with around 65 guests from business and science.
In addition to opening and greeting speeches by HNU President Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Grinninger from HNU, Prof. Dr. Thomas Kirchmeier from Augsburg Technical University, Dr. Hans Reichhart, District Administrator of the County of Günzburg, Leipheim's First Mayor Christian Konrad and Axel Egermann from Regionalmarketing Günzburg GbR, the varied morning program included guest lectures on the topics of modern teaching and learning, digitization with SAP S/4HANA and the presentation of a student project.
New study program in Leipheim: regionally networked, practice-oriented and forward-looking
In collaboration with Augsburg Technical University and Kempten University of Applied Sciences, a highly innovative concept for a joint study program has been developed in recent years under the title "digital and regional". "With a regionally anchored, digital, part-time degree program that is closely aligned with the needs of students and the local economy in terms of content, structure, study organization and location, we have hit the mark," says Prof. Dr. Uta M. Feser. "Our 'Systems Engineering' degree program combines the essentials from the disciplines of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and business administration in an application-oriented manner to enable graduates to develop networked systems and manage them in the context of Industrie 4.0. These are precisely the kind of forces our companies need to successfully manage the digital transformation and survive in the face of international competition." "The forward-looking, interdisciplinary offering is in demand, the regional anchoring is the hallmark and at the same time the secret of success of the study concept," says Feser, pleased about the further expansion of the study offering in Leipheim in addition to the existing locations in Memmingen and Nördlingen.
Technology and knowledge transfer enriches the entire innovation system
District Administrator Dr. Hans Reichhart considers the cooperation between companies, digital incubator and universities to be important and forward-looking. That is why the district has initiated this cooperation. "We have created new and interesting offers and study models. With our two technology transfer centers, we support our regional companies in positioning themselves in the best possible way for the digital future." In addition, the new university location complements the already excellent educational offerings in the district. "Whether training or studying, everything is now possible here in the district."
With the new Leipheim teaching and learning location, students get the opportunity to obtain an academic degree flexibly in the region and with short distances. Regional companies benefit from locally trained personnel who are available to them during their training or continuing education. Christian Konrad, First Mayor of the town of Leipheim, is particularly enthusiastic about this: "We are proud to be an extramural location of the Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences with the excellent offer of this innovative course of study and to be able to provide a high level of education here locally. We support this project to the best of our ability in order to prevent an exodus of highly qualified workers, to offer a good infrastructure and a high quality of life and thus to contribute to a considerable increase in the attractiveness of our region. The inter-municipal industrial park Areal pro is the perfect place for entrepreneurs, start-ups and now also students," says Konrad.
Modern engineering degree program 'Systems Engineering' as a building block for securing competitiveness
'Systems Engineering (B.Eng.)' is a modern engineering degree program that combines the fields of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and applied computer science in an interdisciplinary way with operations, supply chain and project management. The bachelor's degree program can be studied full-time or part-time alongside a career. Blended learning' and digital learning formats allow for time- and location-flexible studying. Through such close integration of theory and practice, students acquire knowledge and skills that can be applied directly in a corporate context. Thanks to the close cooperation with the incubator, students can also further develop ideas that have arisen in the course of study projects in the digital area and found their own start-up there. In addition to the Abitur or the Fachhochschulreife, the study is also possible with a completed vocational training and work experience or with a degree as a technician. In the winter semester of 2023/24, students will be able to start the interdisciplinary 'Systems Engineering' degree program in Leipheim for the first time.
