Inauguration of PSGIAS German School of Technology
On 18th March this year, the PSGIAS German School of Technology was founded, a collaboration of PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, and the Indo-German Centre for Higher Education (IGCHE), Germany, to offer bilingual, international bachelor programs in engineering. What looks like a brand-new endeavour is actually the result of years of successful collaboration between the partners and finally gives a home and face to the programs running since 2010.
PSG College of Technology is one of India's most prestigious technical colleges. The IGCHE is part of the German University Consortium for International Cooperation (DHIK), which includes 37 German universities that also maintain similar cooperation programmes in China, Mexico and South Africa.
Companies in the Indo-German business environment are looking for engineers and computer scientists, in Germany and in India. Ideal candidates should not only have sufficient proficiency in their fields but should also know about cultural differences in professional work in both countries. And you can’t just tell somebody about these kinds of differences, you really must experience it. That is why intercultural experience and language training is part of the programs, as well as internships in the German industry.
Germany is looking for engineers and tuition fees are low in Germany, so it is a popular study-abroad destination for Indian students. But this is an investment on the part of Germany, so the graduates should remain in the Indo-German economic environment. This can be achieved by making the students invest in the German language on their part, and of course they want a return on that investment.
So, the concept is: Three years of study in India with engineering courses, German language training up to C1 level, guest lectures by German professors, lab experiments with German peers (by means of Augmented Reality), summer schools and German Club activities: Students can slowly adapt to cultural differences during this time. Then one year in Germany with courses taught in German language and an internship and thesis in the industry.
PSGIAS German School of Technology prepares the students in such a way since it wants the graduates to thrive, not just survive. Apparently successfully: 70% of the alumni work as engineers in Germany (much higher rate than usual), 30% in India, but often in companies that have close ties to Germany.
For example, IGCHE graduate Hari Vishnu Delhiram works at a medium-sized German company, Zwilling, a knife-maker since 1731. His job is to set up a production facility in India, modelled on the German plants. These kinds of jobs are very interesting and lucrative, and both countries benefit.
Supported by the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD, PSGIAS German School of Technology will be able to increase the student intake significantly, to intensify the involvement of German guest lecturers during the courses in India and to strengthen the ties to the industry.
Authors:
- Prof. Dr. Dirk Fröhling, IGCHE General Coordinator
- Nils Wiese, IGCHE Program Manager
Testimonial:
Hari Vishnu Delhiram
At Zwilling, I am responsible for successfully introducing new products and technologies and contributing to the growth of the factory in India. I really appreciate the fact that I have a lot of responsibility in my position and at the same time have enough freedom to realise my ideas.
During my studies in Germany, I learnt to overcome language and cultural barriers. This is a particular advantage in my job at the interface between the two countries.
