Plastics Engineering Degree Programme: Close Cooperation with Industry – Money lacking for Endowed Professorships

Of course, the scientist would have liked to have seen a few more names on the enrolment list. But he knows a new course of studies requires time to establish itself. He remembers that initially there were similarly low numbers of participants as the diploma course of studies in mechatronics was established. Kirbs appears optimistic about the developmental potential of the most recent course of studies: “Today we have over 100 prospective mechatronics engineers there”.

The scientist’s confidence is justified, because, with the new field of study, the university is responding to the requirements of the plastics industry in Central Germany. The desire for this new course of studies arose three years ago in the Cluster Chemie/Kunststoff Mitteldeutschland (Cluster Chemical/Polymer Central Germany), in which about half of the 800 chemicals and plastics enterprises in Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg work together. This desire has been additionally corroborated by a scientific study. In the course of the survey of 100 Central German industrial enterprises conducted in 2009 by the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences (FH) together with the Kunststoffkompetenzzentrum Halle-Merseburg [Polymer Competence Centre Halle-Merseburg] (KKZ) and the Zentrum für Sozialforschung Halle [Halle Centre for Social Research] (ZSH), just under half of the firms spoke out in favour of the establishment of a course of studies in plastics engineering. The gaps between the increasing demand for specialists in the polymer processing industry on the one hand and the lacking educational offers on the other hand should be closed as a result. In addition to a similar but not comparable offer at the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences (FH), at that time there was no appropriate educational opportunity for the industry in all of Central Germany, remembers Kirbs. Independent degree programmes in plastics engineering – such as in Merseburg – are only offered at the Universities of Applied Sciences in Aalen, Darmstadt and Brunswick. For instance, it is more frequently found in combination with other subject areas such as mechanical engineering.

According to Kirbs, the contents of the new degree programme include the general basic subjects such as mathematics, informatics, physics and chemistry. Engineering science principals such as engineering mechanics, electrical engineering, materials engineering and construction technology are imparted. Teaching contents specific to plastics are the main offerings. This includes polymer physics, polymer materials, polymer technology, polymer processing, elastomer engineering and plastics testing. They are complemented through business-related teaching contents such as fundamentals of business administration as well as quality and project management.

Within the framework of the Kompetenznetzwerk für Angewandte und Transferorientierte Forschung [Competence Network for Applied and Transfer-oriented Research] (KAT) among the universities in Saxony-Anhalt, whose spokesperson is Kirbs, the main emphasis chemistry/plastics is pursued in Merseburg. “That is why the new degree programme also fits outstandingly in our university’s research profile”, emphasises the scientist.

Scientists are vigorously supported by regional enterprises in the efforts to gain young talent for the Central German plastics industry. They are associated through multifaceted projects with large firms such as Dow Olefinverbund GmbH (olefin), Total Raffinerie Mitteldeutschland GmbH (refinery products), InfraLeuna GmbH (chemicals) or Mitteldeutschen Braunkohlen AG [MIBRAG] (brown coal). But research and development efforts are also well coordinated with many small and medium-size enterprises such as Mol Katalysatortechnik GmbH (catalytic converter technology) in Merseburg, Sonotec GmbH (ultrasonic measurement techniques) in Halle, RP Compounds GmbH (chemical compounds) in Schkopau or Domo Caproleuna GmbH (chemicals) in Leuna.

Although the new degree programme is also encouraged by the regional economy, Kirbs would still like a bit more financial assistance from small and medium-size enterprises. “For us, the introduction of the new subject area is a considerable additional effort. That is why we absolutely require two endowed professorships”, says Kirbs. He fully understands the position of small firms which lack the financial strength for a more generous commitment. He appeals to the industry, which can look forward to the first engineers for plastics engineering in three years, “but smaller amounts are also helpful when they are added together”.

 

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