NewsAutomotive Mechatronics & Management

International Success Story: Master's Degree for Automotive Industry

It is with great pleasure that the head of the study programme FH Prof. Dr. Kurt Gaubinger looks back on the last 5 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 domestic companies.

 


The 5th anniversary of the programme shows: International graduates are working in domestic companies. "While at the beginning there were fears that graduates would move back to their home country 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 program, 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 international companies to train employees from international locations in Upper Austria and integrate them in 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 degree programme was designed with companies from the automotive industry and the automotive cluster in order to attract young talent from abroad to Upper Austria. "Of course, Austrians are also very welcome to join the study programme," says Gaubinger and continues, "In addition to development competencies in mechatronic subareas, students also acquire comprehensive management skills. Furthermore, the students already acquire intercultural skills during their studies, since almost every year we have students from all continents."

Motivated graduates
"I chose the AMM degree programme because it aligns well with 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: "One 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 gain valuable insights during your studies." He now works at Magna Powertrain/Engineering Center Steyr as a system architect and function developer.

High quality
The course is characterized 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 excellent master theses were awarded.

Get more information
Admission requirements for this master's programme are a completed bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or related fields. For more information, please visit www.fh-ooe.at/amm

Head of Studies Kurt Gaubinger (on the motorcycle) with current AMM students and graduates visiting KTM. (source: FH OÖ)