Studying doesn't always go perfectly, and sometimes you have to start looking for alternatives. To address this issue, the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) has now launched the project ‘ReStart EDU2WORK | Turning study challenges into career opportunities’ in collaboration with the Federal Employment Agency, the Immigration Office and the Regional Management Department of the Deggendorf District Office.

Giving international students who have dropped out of university new perspectives 

The project focuses on students who are about to drop out of university, or more specifically, international students who are struggling with their studies at DIT or are even considering dropping out. In this case, the network of DIT, the Federal Employment Agency, the Immigration Office and Regional Management offers them comprehensive advice on opportunities in the region. The possibilities here are manifold. In addition to starting as a skilled worker or changing courses, dual studies or vocational training offer excellent opportunities to enter the regional labour market directly. The aim of the ReStart EDU2WORK project is to increase the integration of international students into the labour market. This gives young people an excellent alternative to studying, and the local economy benefits from motivated skilled workers, which in turn benefits the educational region of Lower Bavaria. 

Reaching your goal through advice and networking

In future, regular consultation appointments will be offered at the THD as part of the project. Through cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency, the Immigration Office and the Regional Management of the Deggendorf District Office, students will be shown the best possible opportunities and presented with the various alternatives in detail and comprehensively.
 

The annual general meeting of the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association, held on 23 September at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT) university campus, was characterised by a sense of harmony and satisfaction amongst attendees. The actions of the executive committee for its work in 2024 were approved by the general meeting in accordance with the statutes, and the committee was re-elected directly for a further term of three years. Consequently, Johann Kraus, the former head of the Rohde & Schwarz plant in Teisnach, has been appointed as the inaugural chairman. In addition, Treasurer Stefan Swihota and the four deputy chairmen, namely Dr. Christian Moser, Alexander Kaiß, Prof. Dr. Andreas Buske and Dipl.-Ing. Peter Radlsbeck, were also confirmed in office. Professor Waldemar Berg, the incumbent president of the university, represents the fifth member of the group of deputies by virtue of his office.

A particularly noteworthy aspect of the evening's proceedings was the revelation that, despite the challenges posed by the Corona and post-Corona years, the membership of the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association never dipped below the crucial threshold of 500 individuals. Following a period of substantial growth, the Association has now once again surpassed that figure. The Chairman, Mr Kraus, emphasised the pivotal role of the Friends Association's members and their contributions in ensuring the success and efficacy of the organisation's endeavours within the university. In his financial report, Treasurer Swihota had previously highlighted the volatility of income from donations, contrasting this with the reliability of membership fees as a consistent source of financial support for the organisation's operations. In light of this, Kraus made an appeal to all members present, urging them to actively recruit new members from their respective networks of friends and colleagues. It was asserted that the university constitutes a significant economic catalyst within the region, meriting the active support of all stakeholders.

The President of DIT, Mr. Berg, delivered a rapid annual overview to his guests from the Deggendorf Friends and Associates Association. The presentation was rich in success stories, both large and small. The general meeting concluded with three insights into the prevailing academic environment at the university. Professor Sabine Wiesend of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Media Technology delivered a report on 'Flight into Shadow', a student lighting technology project that was exhibited this year at the Architecture Biennale in Venice – one of the most significant events in the world of architecture. Professor Dr.-Ing. Niklas Urban not only provided a comprehensive insight into the intricacies of the automation and robotics laboratory, but also facilitated a discourse on the future of these fields. The presentation comprised a series of images intended to convey the current state of the field of robotics. In addition, the speaker reported that students enrolled in the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Industrial Engineering are being trained in accordance with the latest developments in the field. Finally, Annika Schickle, a physician assistant student at the Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences, delivered a speech in which she articulated her personal experience of education at the university and reported on the opportunities available to students in her position. These range from participation in humanitarian missions in Uganda and attendance at international conferences to exchange programmes with prestigious Ivy League universities in the USA.

The possession of transformative power is of paramount importance. This approach facilitates not only adaptation, but also active rethinking – of solutions, systems and oneself. The Future Skills Alumni Conference, which was held from 18 to 20 September at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology (DIT), was dedicated to this area of expertise. Eighteen alumni from universities within the HEROES Alliance delivered presentations.  

The event focused on the subjects of judgement and digital ethics, innovation and change competence, as well as meaning orientation and start-up competence. The alumni imparted their expertise and personal experiences with practical examples, including the role of civil engineering in the energy transition, cybersecurity in healthcare, and the comparison between humans and artificial intelligence.

The event focused on the subjects of judgement and digital ethics, innovation and change management, as well as purpose orientation and start-up skills. The alumni imparted their expertise and personal experiences with practical examples from their careers, including the role of civil engineering in the energy transition, cybersecurity in healthcare, and the comparison between humans and artificial intelligence.

All speakers successfully completed their studies at a university within the HEROES Alliance, a transnational coalition of higher education institutions with a commitment to enhancing the resilience of individuals, businesses and nature in the region. The THD, represented at the conference by 16 alumni, has been an official member of the newly founded alliance since 2025. The contributions of the alumni serve to enhance knowledge transfer within the international university network, thereby promoting the development of transformative skills that enable active participation in shaping the future.

The presentations were streamed live and subsequently recorded. These are now available for viewing on the internet at th-deg.de/alumni-konferenz.

About the Future Skills Alumni Conference

The conference was held as part of the "European University Networks (EUN) – National Initiative" programme. The programme is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.