WING takes off

How exactly does one modernize a degree programme in light of the digital transformation? An interdisciplinary team at our university successfully addressed this and other questions in order to, among other things, further develop the specializations within the Engineering Management programme.

For many years now, it has been possible to study Engineering Management at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. To further develop this degree programme, an interdisciplinary team meets at regular intervals, consisting of the Vice President for Education and International Affairs, Professor Sophia Keil, the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and Engineering Management, Professor Uwe Wendt; the Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Bernd Bellair; the program director, Professor Tino Schütte; and other faculty members in key positions.

To ensure that our graduates enter the job market in a good position, specialization tracks are needed that enable them to support companies in technical, economic, and environmental matters and, furthermore, to shape the future of these fields.

Based on a comprehensive literature review covering the topics of engineering education for the digital transformation, job profile studies, a company survey, and a competitive analysis, a two-day workshop was conducted in collaboration with staff from several STEM faculties at our university, and recommendations for action were derived.

To precisely address the goals and needs of the target groups, personas of future graduates were developed. The fictional characters Lisa and Lars represent the areas of specialization with the working titles: Process Development and Product Development. As the workshop progressed, these specialization tracks were fleshed out in detail with qualification frameworks, career goals, and competency requirements.

In summary, this example demonstrates that degree programme development can be highly effective and efficient when approached in an interdisciplinary manner. By the end of the workshop, the participants succeeded in sketching a vision for the future of the interdisciplinary Engineering Management degree programme at our university. Now it is time to set the right course so that not only the fictional protagonists Lisa and Lars, but also our students, are equipped with the necessary know-how to be even better prepared for the diverse professional and societal challenges of the future.

Acknowledgments

In addition to the participating deans from our university, we would like to extend a very special thank you to Professor Gerlinde Kretschmar, Professor Matthias Längrich, and Professor Martin Sturm for their expert support, innovative ideas, and the opportunity for constructive discussion, as well as to the moderators and organizers David Sauer, Jan Fallgatter, and Daniel Winkler.