Excursions

Founded in 1967 as a joint venture of Bosch and Siemens, BSH produces the entire spectrum of modern household appliances and is active worldwide with a total of 14 different brands. The BSH-funded students were invited to a scholarship holders' day in Traunreut to get an idea of the company for themselves. One scholarship holder reported on this memorable experience: "The lectures on the topics of innovation, digital transition and design were excellent. I found it very good that they were held by employees in leading positions in the company. The relaxed atmosphere made it easy to follow the explanations and in the relaxed atmosphere it was easy to follow up on interesting topics. So far I only knew that BSH manufactures household appliances. In the lectures I learned in which other areas BSH is active. Strong efforts are being made in areas such as innovation, design and the digital world. The lectures also provided a new perspective on familiar things. For example, while drinking coffee I learned details I didn't know before. Another highlight was the Virtual Reality Room, which integrated very well into the program immediately after the presentation on Bosch design. The management at the production site in Traunreut was also excellent. The development process of an oven was presented and we learned which surfaces play an important role in an oven. The final visit to the museum was also very interesting."

Christina Schedel visited her sponsor Klüber Lubrication on scholarship holders' day. The company, which belongs to the Freudenberg Chemical Specialities Business Group, offered a varied program at its headquarters in Munich: "We were able to gather initial impressions of the corporate philosophy during a brief introduction of the group by Dr. Loderer, Head of Technology and Development at Klüber Lubrication, and Mr. Geyer, Head of Human Resources at Freudenberg Chemical Specialities. It was particularly impressive that the company continues to uphold the principles of the founders and attributes great value to the sustainability of their products. After lunch together, a factory tour was on the agenda. In a small group, first the laboratories in which the analysis and development of the products take place, and then the production halls and the test bench were inspected. This enabled us to trace the entire production chain from laboratory-scale tests to the finished and tested end product. The varied day was rounded off by a round of talks with employees who shared their experiences and tasks at Klüber and were available to answer questions. Many thanks for the personal conversations and a look behind the scenes!

The scholarship holders of the TUM were also invited to the LEONI Student Day in Nuremberg. In addition to various factory tours with insights into the product range and the global production structure of the company, the current trends in the cable and wiring systems sector were shown. In addition, the historical development of technology was discussed. Richard Gruner, student of mechanical engineering at TUM, draws a very positive conclusion: "When LEONI AG invited us to visit the company, I did not have to think long. At our headquarters in Nuremberg we were able to get to know the wide variety of cable technology. The visit to production sites and the new LEONI research centre has made it clear just how extensive and complex the development and production of cable systems is. I find the opportunity to experience companies and their products on site as part of the German scholarship very enriching. Many thanks to LEONI for the effort and the exciting day."

Mr Karl Zerle is studying Mechanical Engineering at the TUM and spent an exciting day with his sponsor: "The anticipation among us scholarship holders was naturally great when we were invited by our sponsor AGCO/Fendt to a factory visit. So we went to the beautiful Allgäu to Marktoberdorf. In the "Fendt Forum" we first gained an insight into the history of the company. Afterwards we were guided through the recently modernized or newly built production halls during the factory tour and could marvel at the entire development process of a tractor. After lunch the managing director Mr. Paffen followed, with whom one could talk in a relaxed atmosphere. In addition, there was, of course, the opportunity to exchange ideas with the other scholarship holders. But the highlight of my visit in Marktoberdorf came in the afternoon: After a short briefing we were allowed to drive behind the wheel ourselves, and so we did numerous laps on the circuit with tractors of the different model series. For the organization and the great day I would like to thank you again very much!"

During the company tour DELO showed what adhesives can do today and hung scholarship holders weighing a total of 950 kilos on a 2x4cm adhesive surface on the laboratory ceiling. In addition, there were many other interesting activities, as scholarship holder Kilian Pfanner explains: "DELO is an up-and-coming, innovative, medium-sized company and a pioneer in the field of special adhesives - one of Germany's hidden champions. We started the day with breakfast and first discussions with employees. The company and its product range were presented in the following presentations. After lunch we continued with an interesting guided tour through the individual divisions. Impressive tests have shown us the performance and versatility of adhesives. The afternoon ended with a round of talks about entry and career opportunities at DELO. It was nice to learn how much the company and in a special way its owners are committed to the further training and development of both new and long-standing employees. I would like to thank the owners Mr. and Mrs. Herold and Mr. Karlsdorfer of the DELO-HEROLD Foundation for the varied day, the interesting insights into the company and the support.

The German National Scholarship holders of MAN Truck & Bus AG were able to spend an exciting and eventful day at the company's premises in Karlsfeld as part of the Campus Day. Scholarship holder Lisa Knauer was there: "In addition to an insight into MAN's company structure and products, the main focus was on getting to know each other and the exchange between the scholarship holders and MAN employees. After a short company presentation in the morning, the company's own test track was used. There we were able to ask employees from various divisions in small groups about starting their careers at MAN, and we were also given many helpful tips for our application. An expert presentation provided insights into project work at MAN. Afterwards, accompanied by driving instructors, we were able to test drive a truck or bus over the test track - that was a highlight for all of us! After lunch together, a factory tour was on the agenda. From the frame structure to the finished truck, we were able to follow the entire production process here. Overall, we had an interesting day together with the MAN employees and were able to create a very good platform for future mutual exchange. For the organization and the great experience I would like to thank you at this point again cordially!

Carl May, a BayWa Foundation scholarship holder, about an exciting meeting with his sponsor: "After a brief welcome by Mrs. Thon, the foundation's managing director, the CFO of BayWa AG, Mr. Helber, introduced the parent company to us in an interesting and amusing speech. Once again it became clear how broadly the Group is positioned in the three fields of activity Agra, Energy and Construction. In this respect, there was something interesting for each of the more than 100 scholarship holders. After further lectures, which dealt more closely with career opportunities within BayWa, we went to the Nockerberg for dinner, where we had a relaxed chat with the BayWa staff while eating and drinking. As the crowning conclusion of the evening, Mrs. Thon had come up with something very special this year: We were allowed to watch the top basketball match between FC Bayern Munich and Brose Baskets Bamberg in the Audi Dome directly from the edge of the pitch. In the home win of the Munich team (96:90), which was only hard fought for in the fourth quarter, we shot the "BayWa mood barometer" through our loud cheering to unimagined heights. So I have no choice but to thank BayWa on behalf of all the scholarship holders for their support and the great day. Of course, this also applies to the excellent organization by Mrs Schwenzer."

The aim of the excursion at 1&1 in Munich was to provide insights into the company, its location and technical aspects. After lunch we went to the lectures "MOBILE - Automated Testing of the Mobile Cloud Clients of GMX and WEB.de" and "INFRASTRUCTURE - How to make the dolls dance properly in IT operations". In subsequent question and discussion rounds, experiences already made were exchanged. During a small coffee break, the students enjoyed the fantastic view from the roof terrace on the 11th floor of the Sapporo arch. "I never thought 1&1 would be so modern. "So far I've had a completely false image of 1&1, it always seems so dusty." We were able to refute this impression during a job inspection. Here the students got an insight into how the work in practice at 1&1 looks like. "The day has shown me that not only the location is something special, but also the colleagues are very committed at work. That was a great experience."  With this feedback from the students we are pleased to say that the event did not miss its goal.

In a relaxed atmosphere, interested scholarship holders were able to gain an insight into the day-to-day work of a counsellor in the Senacor Office in Munich. Informatics student Andrea Drekovic was there: "Senacor advises large companies on transforming their IT systems and we had the great opportunity to see a current Senacor project from both a consultant and a client perspective. In addition to the Senacor partners Dr. Wehrmann and Ms. Thom, Mr. Spiegel, the CIO of Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (pbb), was a guest and presented his perspective as a customer. Senacor advises pbb in the course of a restructuring. The background and challenges of the project were conveyed to us very vividly. At the same time, Senacor offered a practical insight on the part of the service provider. Questions from the students were always welcome and were answered in detail by both parties. The day was rounded off with a dinner with Senacor employees from various areas, with whom we exchanged information about internships and working student positions, as well as about later career entry and more general topics in the field of IT. I would like to thank Senacor, Mr. Spiegel of the pbb and especially Mr. Baumann for organizing this very informative evening."

­itestra GmbH once again organized the itestra Student Day, which takes place three times a year at its Munich headquarters, where participants can gain an insight into current projects from the everyday life of the software service provider. After a short introduction with facts and figures about the company itself and its business units, two concrete projects of the company were presented by participating employees. The first presentation under the motto "100% secure for the future" gave a detailed insight into a project in the field of software renovation. The aging software system of a large insurance company was brought up to the latest technical standards. Concrete case studies about obstacles and their solutions gave an interesting insight into this special area of software development. Subsequently, a new development of a software system was presented at an early stage under the title "The Challenge of Digitization - Sales Support in the 21st Century". During the common meal after the lecture series, there was the possibility for the exchange with coworkers and the likewise present working students in loose and personal atmosphere. They could inform themselves about the daily work of the employees or the possibilities of an internship, a thesis as well as a working student activity at itestra GmbH.

The scholarship holders were invited to a cross-university meeting at Bilfinger Hochbau in Munich. Laura Stolle on an exciting day: "By introducing the various departments, I learned how broad Bilfinger is. What was surprising was that the company is not only active in construction, but also in completely different areas, such as turf care in the stadium or catering at Ikea! Then we drove to KUKA, for which Bilfinger is building the new headquarters, in Augsburg and were able to see a large construction site on site. After the presentation of the construction project and a tour through the building shell with the project manager Mr. Schraml, we were invited to a concluding lunch. We then had the opportunity to have a detailed exchange with Bilfinger employees and department heads. It was really very interesting to get to know the company that supports me with the German National Scholarship! In addition, we were able to meet scholarship holders from other universities. Thank you very much for that!"

­­Esri scholarship holder Jürgen Kolb studies forestry and wood sciences at the Weihenstephan Science Centre and reports on his visit to GIS-Talk in Unterschleißheim: "Esri Germany invited us scholarship holders to the GIS-Talk, the largest German-language GIS conference, in Unterschleißheim. The conference offered a wonderful opportunity to get to know new methods and to collect innovative ideas for one's own work. During the presentation of the management of Esri Deutschland GmbH in a management meeting, we gained interesting insights into the corporate philosophy, the structures and work areas and the history of Esri. Here we had the opportunity to talk to the management and other scholarship holders in a pleasantly personal atmosphere. In the education track "Students and Career Meet-up", promising career opportunities at Esri Germany and its partners were presented to us through personal experience reports. They were very open to our questions and showed a lot of interest in us scholarship holders. The employees also took the time to talk to us personally afterwards. Besides their openness, we were particularly impressed by their enthusiasm for their own work! We were all very happy to participate in such an informative and exciting event and would like to thank Esri once again."

Scholarship holder Fabian Volz studies mathematics at the TUM and talks about the excursion to his sponsor, Allianz: "After the reception with drinks, biscuits and above all a unique view of the Allianz Arena playing field, the content of the Allianz Lodge began with a company presentation. General information about the history, structure and entry opportunities were followed by presentations by various employees. A mathematician from Risk Controlling, a lawyer from the Management Board assistant program and trainees reported on their work and why they chose Allianz. Afterwards we had lunch together, which I also used to get to know the other scholarship holders better. On the following tour through the arena we learned the essential facts about their construction, information about the construction and of course the secrets behind a perfect lawn. The last point of the event program was a speed dating with the employees - in my opinion the highlight of the event. We were able to ask all Allianz employees open questions in groups of about five scholarship holders, whether it was about their working day, joining Allianz or their personal careers. Overall, the event provided a very good insight into career opportunities at Allianz."

 Siemens Power & Gas invited all scholarship holders from all over Germany to Berlin for the three-day Inside Power&Gas event. The 20 scholarship holders of the TU Munich were almost completely represented. Johannes Rist (mechanical engineering) about a very entertaining event: "Immediately after check-in at a beautiful hotel directly on Alexanderplatz, the tours of the gas turbine production and the dynamo plant were on the agenda. We were particularly surprised by the precision required in the construction of a gas turbine weighing almost 400 tons. The next day we had to prove our own skills in building an aircraft for a gala flight competition. Without a blueprint, the most diverse designs and airplanes came together, some of which were even astonishingly airworthy. The daily program was always rounded off by a joint dinner during which contacts could be made with other scholarship holders and Siemens employees. On the third day, in addition to the final flight competition, a panel discussion with three Siemens managers was scheduled. In summary, it was a great event to get to know our sponsor better and, at the same time, we were able to establish contacts with scholarship holders and specialists from highly interesting fields throughout Germany. Thank you very much for this opportunity!"

TUM scholarship holder Alexandra Fritzen was invited by her sponsor, the Deutsche Bahn Foundation, to a meeting of all German scholarship holders in Berlin: "We received an introduction to the activities of the Foundation and the main departments and areas of interest of Deutsche Bahn. Afterwards we were allowed to participate in a "business parkour", which consisted of five stations: Businesslook, Dos and Don'ts in the Social Web, breathing exercises under the topic "out of the head", Business Small Talk and appearance with safe voice. In order to get to know our mentors, we were then divided into groups according to their department or field of work. My mentor (Dr. Kumar Pillay) works at the subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn - DB Systel - and I came to their table. After a lively exchange and first acquaintance, other scholarship holders had dinner together with the mentors. The DB Foundation took care of the return journey with Deutsche Bahn and hotel accommodation. "That was great too, of course."

Our sponsor Bosch Sicherheitssysteme invited its scholarship holders to a Backstage@Bosch information day. Scholarship holder Felix Gruber reports: "An informative company presentation about the entire Robert Bosch GmbH was held at the start of the information day at Bosch Security Systems. Afterwards, two guided tours through different development departments gave us an insight into the work at our sponsor, whereby I was particularly fascinated by the interesting experiments. Bosch associates who are currently in the PreMaster or trainee programs, for example, reported on their personal experiences and career paths at Bosch Security Systems. There was always enough time for our questions in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The interesting information day was rounded off by a talk café with employees and managers, where we also got to know our personal mentors."

Porsche AG invited its scholarship holders from all over Germany to the Porsche headquarters in Zuffenhausen. The programme included a company presentation to get to know the working and product world of Porsche and an exciting specialist lecture on the subject of connected cars. Lunch together also provided the opportunity for in-depth discussions with Porsche employees. In an exclusive factory tour, the scholarship holders could then take a look directly behind the scenes and experience the production of exclusive sports cars live. Scholarship holder Kai Gaukel is delighted, because "in addition to excursions, Porsche also offers its scholarship holders admission to the Porsche Talent Network. This provides access to exclusive job offers, the company newsletter and invitations to current events such as the Tennis Grand Prix".

The ten TUM scholarship holders from General Electric visited their sponsor in the Garching branch. Anja Nieratschker reports: "After the arrival and welcome in the GE Global Research building, Managing Director Carlos Härtel gave us an insight into GE's work and above all into the importance of the Garching location. In cooperation with TUM, research is being conducted there on innovative imaging processes for medical technology and the automation of the production of fiber composite components. Afterwards, one of our employees introduced us to his start at GE and gave us an insight into his projects. At the end of the official part, our supervisor Anna Lena Riepl presented the opportunities offered to us in terms of internships, student research projects and other insights into everyday working life at GE. At the end of the evening we went to a restaurant in Garching for dinner, where many interesting conversations were held with down-to-earth regional cuisine. On behalf of all the scholarship holders, I would like to thank you for the insight into the company structure and the great evening."

Munich-based technology group Giesecke & Devrient has invited its TUM scholarship holders to the G&D Experience Center. TUM scholarship holder Luca Del Re was there: "G&D's broad business area is presented in a very appealing way in the Experience Center, after which we were allowed to look under the surface during presentations by project managers. Following a presentation by the company - G&D develops, produces, and sells products and solutions for payment, secure communication, and the management of identities - the "secret world" of banknotes and smart card chips took shape: Which modern security features make banknotes forgery-proof? What approaches do developers at G&D use to "hack" their own products to stay one step ahead of malicious attackers? Dr. Klaus Vedder, Head of the Technology Office at G&D's Mobile Security division, also explained to the scholarship holders what G&D has to offer them. Luca Del Re: "On behalf of all the scholarship holders, I would like to thank you once again for this interesting excursion!"

For an entire weekend, 90 scholarship holders from 13 German universities took part in the "German National Scholarship Meets BASF" event in Ludwigshafen. During the tour of the 10 square km site, the scholarship holders got to know BASF's concept. In addition, the scholarship holders were able to learn more about BASF's strategic orientation during the presentation on sustainability. TUM scholarship holder Maximilian Maier reports: "In addition to a tour of the major parent plant, we were informed in detail about BASF's strategy and operational business. Various presentations on potential entry and career opportunities were particularly informative. Special programmes for members of the "European Talent Pool", in which all scholarship holders were accepted, were also presented. For example, there is the opportunity to apply for internships or mentoring by BASF executives. Apart from the formal supporting programme, there was always the opportunity to exchange ideas with staff from all over the world in a relaxed atmosphere and it was emphasised that the door is always open for us scholarship holders".

IBM scholarship holders from all over Germany visited the IBM branch in Munich. TUM-BWL student Carolin Klein was there: "IBM's branch manager in Munich, Hans-Hermann Junge, gave us a clear introduction to IBM's work with his lecture on the significance of information technology for the future: He reported that IBM has been the US patent world champion for years in succession and is maintaining its innovative strength by investing in development laboratories. We also learned that the company also deals with issues relating to energy solutions and data security, dealing with demographic change and the integration of social media. Among other things, IBM develops solutions for the management of megacities. In the afternoon, IBM consultants presented their areas of work, we were given an insight into the day-to-day work of consultants and subsequently had the opportunity to exchange ideas directly with IBM employees. We were all very pleased to be able to participate in such an informative and exciting event and would like to thank IBM once again for this."

ALTANA AG invited its scholarship holders from the University of Applied Sciences Niederrhein and the TUM to a two-day event at the headquarters of its subsidiary ECKART in Upper Franconia. TUM student Carina Lämmle was there: "At the beginning, the scholarship holders of both universities got to know each other on a Lama hike and then let the evening end comfortably in a mountain hut. The next day we visited ECKART, one of the world's leading manufacturers of effect pigments. After a welcome address by the Chief Technology Officer Dr. Mark Stoll, we received valuable insights into the company's areas of activity in presentations. During the breaks, there were plenty of opportunities for in-depth discussions with employees and to find out about internships, dissertations and career opportunities at ECKART and in the ALTANA Group. A tour of the textile printing department, a tour of the company premises and a visit to the production of gold bronze pigments and aluminium semolina rounded off the informative and exciting excursion".

The scholarship holders of Webasto had the opportunity to experience the world market leader for sliding roofs and independent heaters up close. At the beginning they got a brief insight into the diverse Webasto product world. This was followed by a vivid guided tour through the trial of the "Roof & Components" product division. Michael Stipanowitz, Head of Test Engineers, gave the students an entertaining and practical insight. A visit to the "Thermo & Comfort" area, headed by Georg Huber, TL Prototyping. "Such a look behind the scenes of research and development cannot be taken very often," says TUM fellow Robert Forster. Scholarship holder Bianca Monzer was also enthusiastic: "We were able to discover the theory we had learned in practice. The passion with which the various test stations were presented to us showed me how much fun you can have at work doing what you love!"

Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter) offers its scholarship holders an impressive programme: Rene Hollmann studies aerospace at the TUM and reports: "Airbus invited us to get to know the plant and some of its employees directly in Donauwörth. The supervisor for the scholarship holders, Uwe Geier, took the time to give us a detailed insight into the working environment. In addition, we were invited together with French scholarship holders to a day at the Paris Airshow in Le Bourget. There we took part in a workshop and were able to meet HR personnel from Airbus/EADS. We also had enough time to look around at the airshow and talk directly to employees from both the technical and human resources departments. We were also able to meet the French scholarship holders and thus expand our network."

Clariant organized a get-to-know day in Frankfurt for the company's scholarship holders. TUM student and scholarship holder Tobias Nöbauer was there: "On the eve of the event, we were able to meet numerous Clariant employees over a joint dinner. On scholarship holders' day, we had the opportunity to gain very good insights into Clariant through informative lectures and visits to the laboratory site. We have also created a network of Clariant Germany scholarship holders from all over Germany, so that the wonderful days in Frankfurt, for which we would like to thank Clariant, will certainly remain unforgettable."

 Bayer Management Board Chairman Dr. Marijn Dekkers welcomed some 80 scholarship holders from the Bayer Science & Education Foundation in Berlin. In addition to a science speed dating, a panel discussion on life paths in the natural sciences and a poster competition, the varied programme also offered numerous opportunities to get to know each other in a relaxed atmosphere. In the evening, all scholarship holders were invited to award the Hansen Family Prize to Prof. Dr. Rammensee for his research in the field of cancer therapy. TUM biochemistry student Karola Gerecht was enthusiastic: "It was a very exciting day on which I met many interesting new people. Especially the award ceremony, at which Prof. Rammensee reported on his progress in research for cancer immunotherapy, was very impressive."