WING takes off

How exactly does one modernize a degree program 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 specialization tracks within the Industrial Engineering program.

For many years now, it has been possible to study industrial engineering at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. To further develop this program, an interdisciplinary team meets regularly, 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 are well-prepared to enter the job market, we need specializations 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 specialization tracks 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 program development can be highly effective and efficient when approached in an interdisciplinary manner. By the end of the workshop, the participants succeeded in sketching out a vision for the future of the interdisciplinary Industrial Engineering program 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 of our university, we would like to extend special thanks 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.