Success Stories - UBC & SFU Engineering students gain experience in Germany
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During a twelve day trip to Germany in May 2011, 17 University of
British Columbia (UBC) and four Simon Fraser University (SFU)
undergraduate and graduate students visited companies and universities
near Dusseldorf, Cologne, Ladenburg, Berlin, and Munich. The
organizations visited include ABB, Vodafone, Vossloh Kiepe, Bombardier,
GE Global Research, BMW, and Cologne University of Applied Sciences.
Students were given company presentations and laboratory tours, and were
able to learn about their research projects and company products. They
were able to learn and experience German engineering first hand, by
riding the high speed train network across Germany and observing how
trains and automobiles are engineered and manufactured at the Vossloh
Kiepe, Bombardier & BMW. Students were also able to see wind farms on
the fields and learn about power generation technologies at ABB & GE.
Students also learned about wireless device testing at Vodafone
The objective of our trip was to provide students with the opportunity
to visit some of the leading engineering companies in Germany and learn
about research projects being developed. During the twelve day trip, we
visited Vodafone, ABB, Vossloh Kiepe, Bombardier, GE, BMW, and Cologne
University of Applied Sciences. The trip included company presentations
and laboratory tours, which allowed students to learn about their
products and research.
Another goal of the trip was for students to explore the cultural
differences in work environment and lifestyle between Germany and
Canada. During our trip, we learned how Germans celebrate their May Day
holiday, and experienced their high speed train system and technology
through day and night trains across the country. While touring company
facilities, we were able to observe the German work environment and
diverse engineering opportunities.
The intended outcomes of the trip were primarily for students to explore
work and study opportunities in Germany and build a professional network
internationally. During company and university visits, students were
informed of any internship and graduate opportunities available with the
company, such as Bombardier
This field trip was funded by the IEEE Canadian Foundation, the IEEE Vancouver
Section, the UBC Professional Activities Fund and the UBC ECE Department. This
report was submitted by Michelle Siu, co-organizer.
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