High drop-out rates, dry content and a low percentage of women – the traditional engineering disciplines often have to contend with these stereotypes. This can result in prospective students deciding not to study for a degree in engineering or computer sciences.
In order to lower the psychological barrier and give high-school graduates and other eligible students the opportunity to get to know the engineering courses of University of Applied Sciences Landshut, the MINT orientation semester will be introduced in the summer semester 2020. The backers and partners of the project are the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate, the City and District of Landshut and the Bruckmayer Foundation.
The MINT orientation semester was officially launched in a press conference at the University with President Prof. Dr. Karl Stoffel, the deputy CEO of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate Hans Schmidt, the Director of the chamber’s Training Centre Michael Pigat, the Mayor Alexander Putz and the District Administrator Peter Dreier.
Fewer drop-outs and easier start to the degree course
“The main purpose of the semester is to tap into new groups of students, to get young people enthusiastic about MINT, to help students decide whether they would like to study for a degree in engineering or do an apprenticeship in engineering, and to ensure that the individual chooses the right course of study,” explains University President Prof. Dr. Karl Stoffel. As a result, the risk of drop-out in the subsequent Bachelor degree course should be reduced and the start to the degree course made easier.
Close cooperation with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts
Due to the cooperation with the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate, the students taking part in the orientation semester not only gain an insight into the engineering courses of University of Applied Sciences Landshut, but also into craft apprenticeships in the MINT field. “Regardless of whether with an apprenticeship or degree course – prospective students have numerous opportunities in the MINT field,” emphasises Hans Schmidt. “With the orientation semester they can find out precisely where their inclination lies and choose a career path.”
The MINT orientation semester includes a MINT foundation seminar, attendance of regular lectures on MINT topics and the MINT practical days in the training centre of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts. “Nowadays in particular, high-school students have little opportunity to gain experience of a craft profession,” states Michale Pigat. “At the MINT practical days, the participants get the opportunity to sniff the workshop air and gain an insight into machine engineering, electrical engineering and metal engineering.” What this means in concrete terms is that the students build a Mendocino motor – a solar-powered, magnetically-levitated electric motor.
City and District of Landshut an important partner
While the Chamber of Skilled Crafts coordinates the practical part of the MINT orientation semester, the City and District of Landshut contribute above all financially to the project. The Mayor Alexander Putz is convinced that graduates of MINT courses are more sought after than ever and have excellent career opportunities, especially in view of the skills shortage in this field. He therefore paid tribute to the foresightful joint initiative of the University and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts: “With the MINT orientation semester, they are starting an innovative, groundbreaking and highly promising project which will provide our young people with a new outlook and excellent opportunities.”
The District Administrator Peter Dreier was also impressed: “Promoting MINT can never start too soon – but the concept of the orientation semester provides a great opportunity for new students who are still undecided to get excited about a career in engineering.”
The application period for the MINT orientation semester has already started. All of the information about the course and enrolment can be found at www.haw-landshut.de/mint.
Photo: Landshut University of Applied Sciences
(free to use if source cited)
