Collaboration with Brno University of Technology in Czechia

Graduates in engineering physics, electrical engineering, and micro- and nanotechnology are highly sought after in the job market, as the digital and green transformation of our society requires a high demand for experts, especially in the field of semiconductor technology. Unfortunately, interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses is relatively low across Europe. To make them more attractive, it is important to demonstrate how relevant and interdisciplinary technical courses are to our everyday lives, and to offer students opportunities to study abroad that are integrated into their curriculum. Gaining international experience is not only important for the personal development of students, but is also increasingly demanded by companies, especially in engineering and science, so that graduates can enter global industries such as semiconductor technology.

To meet these requirements, colleagues from the Brno University of Technology, Czechia, with point of contact Prof. Jiri Haze, and from Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Christina Schindler and Prof. Alfred Kersch, have met in Brno to explore opportunities for collaboration.

The visit was supported by the Bayerisch-Tschechische Hochschulagentur / Česko-bavorská vysokoškolská agentura. During the visit first ideas for collaborating on the study programme level were exchanged. An impressive visit of the Ceitec laboratories rounded off the program.

At Hochschule München, the bachelor's degree programs in Technical Physics, Engineering Physics and Data Science, and the master's degree program in Micro- and Nanotechnology are to be involved in the activities. All programs offer courses in English, allowing international students to spend one or more semesters at Munich with ease. In the Master's in Micro and Nanotechnology, there is already a double degree agreement with a Canadian partner at the INRS, which can serve as a model.

The first exchange in 2024 was used to personally get acquainted with the Czech partners from relevant programs and to gain insight into the structure of their programs. With this knowledge, modules that can be mutually recognized immediately can be identified, and the development of joint modules, perhaps even as a hybrid study offering, can be discussed.

Overall, the following long-term goals will be pursued:

• Promote student exchange between Hochschule München and the Brno University of Technology
• Facilitate exchange of teaching staff
• Collaborate in the area of virtual laboratories
• Organize joint summer or winter schools
• Establish a Double Degree program

The activities are also part of the CHIPS of Europe project, co-financed by the EU. This project aims at improving the education in the semiconductor field together with schools, academic, and industrial partners. More information can be found following: www.chipsofeurope.eu.

Prof. Dr. Christina Schindler