NEW DOUBLE MASTER DEGREE IN EMBEDDED SYSTEMS AND DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

On 26 January 2024, the vice-president of the Fachhochschule Dortmund headed a delegation to Leuven to sign two double master degrees. Professor Carsten Wolff from Dortmund and professor Peter Arras from De Nayer Campus, the architects of this achievement, could finalize a two year process of discussions, curriculum mapping and bilateral visits.

Both are very willing to explain the ins and outs of these two double master programmes, which will offer new possibilities for students from both universities. In the Faculty of Engineering Technology (FET), the degrees are linked respectively to the Electromechanical and the Electronics & ICT Engineering Technology programmes.

Why the specific topics on embedded systems and digital transformation?

Peter Arras: “Digital transformation, digital technologies and software have become indispensable for up-to-date engineering. Students need to acquire strong skills in these fields. The Fachhochschule Dortmund covers software for Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Cloud Systems within the Master Digital Transformation and software for the small embedded computers in technical systems with the Master Embedded Systems Engineering. Combining the software skills with the competences gained from the Master Electronics & ICT Engineering Technology and the Master Electromechanical Engineering Technology leads to a strong competence profile for a career in high-tech industry. Our engineering students Electronics-ICT and Electromechanics- Automation can deepen their knowledge in the master in Dortmund.”

What is the added value of a double master between a Belgian and a German institute of higher education?

Peter Arras: “The added value lies in the combination of the competence profiles gained from the study programmes involved in the double master scheme. They add up complementary skills in a highly interesting combination, e.g. for aerospace, automotive or industry 4.0.

In addition, students have an easy to organize international experience since the universities are located nearby. Belgian students can extend the 60 ECTS Master’s programme into a 120 ECTS Master’s easily. Another added value is expected due to the expansion of the industry collaboration by having options in both Belgium and Germany. The fact that both programmes are in the European higher education area makes the transfer of credits easier and helped to formulate the double degree agreement.”

How do you see the role of double master degrees in the internationalization strategy of the faculties in both universities?

Carsten Wolff: ‘The Computer Science Faculty of Fachhochschule Dortmund has created a strategic focus on Master’s programmes in the internationalization policy by developing two English language Master’s programmes (Embedded Systems Engineering and Digital Transformation, the two programmes in this double degree agreement). These programmes constitute a sound basis for international exchange. Furthermore, they are more lean and agile, so setting up cooperation is simplified. The double degrees with KU Leuven are now the first agreements of this kind for the faculty in Dortmund. The next steps are putting the focus on learning how to make it successful for the students and the university. In future, it can serve as a blue print for future collaboration.”

Peter Arras: ‘The Faculty of Engineering Technology strives for next level of international cooperation in education. Having set a solid base in short and medium student mobility, a move towards double degree agreements is a logical step for the faculty.

Considering the long term cooperation (over 10 years) with FH Dortmund in exchange programs and European educational projects, connecting our existing programs for engineering in a double degree is the obvious next level.”

Is this double master a stepping stone for future joint activities? i.e. what are your plans for the coming years?

Carsten Wolff: “The cooperation between KU Leuven and Fachhochschule Dortmund has started more than 10 years ago. The EUROPIM consortium, the ‘European Partnership for Project and Innovation Management’, including also other EU universities, is the framework in which the different activities are validated. The main focus of the EUROPIM network is on cooperation at Master’s level. The joint activities, learning resources and events are continuously expanded, e.g. in Erasmus+ projects. The plan is to continue this and to cooperate in a kind of a virtual crossborder Master School, offering students an attractive portfolio of events, courses and specialization options. Eventually, this might lead to an Erasmus Mundus Master’s programme.

Furthermore, there is cooperation on conferences (e.g. with the IEEE), joint research and publications, and on joint supervision of doctoral students. This may lead to interesting side-effects such as joint research funding applications and projects.

A strong focus of the partners is on collaboration with countries outside the EU. A current region of interest is on the countries of the Eastern Partnership (especially Ukraine), the Caucasus and Central Asia. Several Erasmus+ Capacity Building projects are ongoing. In the EU, the cooperation is also embedded into the Euclides network, currently with a focus on organizing Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes.”

Peter Arras: “Another strategic choice in the EUROPIM consortium is on innovation and entrepreneurship (with EU projects such as ProDit and Nomadtrail). The Faculty of Engineering Technology has a longtime experience and expertise in these topics. They also attract increasing attention from students, staff and society.”

Hilde Lauwereys