A new path to Germany for engineering students

The studies there are estimated to take about two years and in total, the studies last five years. The result is both a Finnish Bachelor of Engineering degree and a higher, German Master of Engineering degree.

The new cooperation agreement opens for engineering students in Turku the opportunity to complete studies also in Germany. HS Kaiserslautern operates in three locations: Kaiserslautern, Pirmasens and Zweibrücken.

“We have about 6,000 students and about 80 different nationalities. It’s always worthwhile to go study in another country, learn the language and another work culture”, encourages Professor Albert Meij, who is in charge of the institution’s international department.

Meij visited Turku in the end of September to plan the cooperation in education with the Turku-based higher education institutions. The other higher education institutions in the Turku region also consider the new cooperation a functional opportunity to produce the sought-after higher technical education for the region.

“In Turku and Southwest Finland, the need for specialists in technology who know the German market and language will increase”, says Rector Kalervo Väänänen from the University of Turku.

At the moment over 300 German companies operate in Finland. They employ over 20,000 people. In addition, in 2015, Germany was Finland’s most important trade partner in terms of both export and import.

A competence requirement survey conducted in Southwest Finland clarified the need to produce even more specialists in technology with a higher education degree for the region.

HS Kaiserslautern is a partner university of TUAS

The cooperation agreement between HS Kaiserslautern and TUAS was signed in August, and the first engineering students can apply for studies in Germany already during the next academic year.

Dean Juha Kontio reminds that Germany is very important for the Finnish economy.

“I encourage our students to boldly seize this study opportunity and boost their own value in the labour market”, Juha Kontio inspires.

Vice Rector Juhani Soini from Turku University of Applied Sciences is also convinced that the cooperation to be started with HS Kaiserslautern will not only support the career development of students, but will in time also improve the internationalisation and success opportunities of Turku-based enterprises.

In the photo at the top, International Relations Coordinator Päivi Oliva and Principal Lecturer Patrik Granholm at ICT City with Professor Meij. At the bottom, Vice Rector Soini and Dean Kontio chatting with Professor Meij by the riverside in Turku.