NewsUniversity of Applied Sciences Upper Austria

International Success Story: Master's Programme for the Automotive Industry

The 5th anniversary shows: International graduates work in local companies


It is with great pleasure that the head of studies Prof. Dr. Kurt Gaubinger can look back on the last five years of the international study programme Automotive Mechatronics and Management (AMM). 30 students from 15 countries are currently completing this Master's programme, which is tailored to the needs of the Austrian automotive industry. 40 graduates have already successfully completed the practice-integrated degree programme and most of them have remained in Austrian companies.
"While at the beginning there were fears that the graduates would move back home after completing their studies, experience now shows that almost all of them want to start their careers in Austria and actually do so," Kurt Gaubinger is pleased to report. Three quarters of AMM graduates work in Austria.

Onboarding integrated

In the AMM degree programme, students can be employed part-time by a company from the second semester onwards and put what they have learned into practice. "In addition to recruiting new employees, AMM also enables internationally active companies to train employees from international locations in Upper Austria and integrate them into the company," reports Gaubinger and continues: "This gives them the know-how to be successful at the Austrian headquarters as well as at the foreign location.

Unique Master's programme

The English-language degree programme was designed together with companies from the automotive industry and the automotive cluster in order to also attract young talent from abroad to Upper Austria. "Of course, Austrians are also very welcome in the degree programme," Gaubinger smiles and continues: "In addition to development competences in mechatronic sub-areas, the students also receive comprehensive management skills. Furthermore, the students already acquire comprehensive intercultural competences during their studies, since students from all continents study in almost every year. 

Motivated graduates

"I chose the AMM degree programme because it really suits my passion for mechatronics, electronics and automotive engineering," says Lewis Neville MSc from India. "The management skills give me a new perspective on how companies can survive in these challenging times." He has been employed by KTM-Technologies as an electrical, electronics and software engineer since graduating.
Michelle Knaup MSc, who comes from Germany, also works for KTM in the research and development department for sensors and actuators: "A special aspect is that you are part of a small group from different countries. Everyone is highly motivated and helps each other to cope with the studies."
For Sebastian Huber MSc from Austria, the smooth entry into the company was one of the motivations for studying. "By working part-time in an automotive company, you already get valuable insights during your studies." He now works at Magna Powertrain/Engineering Center Steyr as a system architect and function developer.

High quality 

The degree programme is characterised by top-class lecturers from the automotive industry, such as Audi, AVL, BMW, Hofer Powertrain, MAN or Magna. The success of the graduates is also reflected in the quality of their Master's theses. At the INNOVATIONaward FH Wels 2021, two outstanding master's theses were awarded this year.

 

The admission requirement for this Master's programme is a completed Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or related fields. More information is available at the information day on 26.11. or at www.fh-ooe.at/amm 

Head of studies Prof. Dr. Kurt Gaubinger with his highly motivated Automotive Mechatronics & Management students